Paediatr Anaesth. 2019 Apr;29(4):353-360. doi: 10.1111/pan.13612.

An exploratory study of the relationship between postoperative nausea and vomiting and postdischarge nausea and vomiting in children undergoing ambulatory surgery.

Chandrakantan A¹, Reinsel RA², Jasiewicz R³, Jacob ZC³, Seidman PA⁴.

Author information:
1. Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
2. Department of Neurology, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.
3. Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.
4. Department of Anesthesiology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The factors contributing to postoperative nausea and vomiting in children have been identified, but there have been no reported studies that have studied pediatric postdischarge nausea and vomiting.

AIMS:

This preliminary study aimed to identify  the factors affecting postdischarge nausea and vomiting in ambulatory children, specifically whether postoperative nausea and vomiting factors are contributory.

METHODS:

One hundred and twenty-two pediatric patients aged 5-10 years undergoing elective ambulatory surgery participated in this institution-approved study. After obtaining written parental consent and patient assent when indicated, child self-ratings of nausea and pain were completed preoperatively and at discharge, and for 3 days postdischarge. Questionnaires were returned by mail, with a 64% return rate. Using stepwise logistic regression with backward elimination, three separate analyses were undertaken to predict the following outcomes: nausea present in recovery, nausea present on postoperative day 1, and emesis on day of surgery.

RESULTS:

Nearly half (47%) of our cohort experienced nausea at the time of discharge; 11% had emesis on day of surgery. On postoperative day 1, there was a 15% incidence of nausea with a 3% incidence of emesis. In the multiple logistic regression analyses, nausea at discharge was predicted by male gender (odds ratio 2.5, 95% CI: 1.0-6.2) and the presence of pain on discharge (odds ratio 3.0, 95% CI: 1.0-9.2). Emesis on day of surgery was predicted by the presence of nausea at discharge (odds ratio 16.9, 95% CI: 1.8-159.3) and having a family history of nausea/vomiting (odds ratio 8.3, 95% CI: 1.6-43.4). The presence of nausea on postoperative day 1 was predicted only by the presence of nausea on discharge (odds ratio 3.7, 95% CI: 1.2-11.1).

CONCLUSION:

Our preliminary data indicate that postoperative nausea and vomiting may persist into the postdischarge period and pain may be a contributing factor.

PMID: 30762264