Effects of droperidol dosage on postoperative emetic symptoms following pediatric strabismus surgery

• Published in: Journal of clinical anesthesia 2004-02, Vol.16 (1), p.34-39
• Main Authors: Stead, Stanley W, Beatie, Christopher D, Keyes, Mary A, Isenberg, Sherwin J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; Anesthesia; Anesthesia, ophthalmologic: droperidol; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Antiemetics - administration & dosage; Antiemetics - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Costs; Dopamine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Droperidol - administration & dosage; Droperidol - adverse effects; Drug dosages; emetic symptoms; Female; Humans; Infant; Intubation; Length of Stay; Male; Medical sciences; nausea and vomiting, postoperative; Pain; Patient satisfaction; pediatric ophthalmology; Pediatrics; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting - prevention & control; Strabismus - surgery; Surgery
• ISSN: 0952-8180; 1873-4529
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2003.05.006

To compare the frequency of postoperative emetic symptoms and side effects in pediatric strabismus surgery using four doses of droperidol. Randomized, blinded study. University eye institute. 82 ASA physical status I and II pediatric patients, aged 1 to 16 years, undergoing outpatient strabismus surgery. Patients were assigned to one of four doses of droperidol (10, 20, 40, or 80 μg · kg -1) (Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). All patients received the same anesthetic management, with droperidol administered intravenously immediately after induction of anesthesia. Postoperatively, patients were evaluated for emetic symptoms (nausea, retching, and/or vomiting) and side effects (postoperative sedation or extrapyramidal symptoms). There was a dose-dependent reduction of emetic symptoms seen with increasing droperidol dose. Predischarge emetic symptoms were 50%, 15%, 15%, and 5% in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively ( p < 0.009). Peak emetic symptoms were observed after discharge: 75%, 40%, 35%, and 15% in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively ( p < 0.003). Convalescence times, including awakening, extubation, recovery, and hospitalization, were unaffected by increasing droperidol dose. Sedation was similar in all groups and no patient exhibited any side effects. However, when patients exhibited emetic symptoms, discharge time increased from 207 ± 57 minutes to 283 ± 128 minutes ( p < 0.001). Prophylactic administration of droperidol 80 μg · kg -1 is most effective in reducing postoperative emetic symptoms without increasing time to discharge. In those patients with emetic symptoms who also received prophylactic droperidol, time to discharge was significantly delayed.