Low-dose droperidol versus standard-dose droperidol for prevention of postoperative vomiting after pediatric strabismus surgery.

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether a low dose of droperidol is as effective as a high dose in preventing vomiting after pediatric strabismus surgery.

DESIGN:

Randomized, double-blind study.

SETTING:

Operating room and recovery room at a university medical center.

PATIENTS:

One hundred children undergoing strabismus procedures.

INTERVENTIONS:

Patients were divided randomly into three groups and received either droperidol 75 microgram/kg, droperidol 20 microgram/kg, or saline.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Vomiting was assessed in all groups, as was time to discharge and ability to perform a satisfactory postoperative eye examination. Children who received droperidol vomited less frequently than those who did not (p = 0.0521). There was no difference in the frequency of vomiting between the two groups that received droperidol.

CONCLUSION:

Droperidol 20 microgram/kg is as effective as droperidol 75 microgram/kg in preventing vomiting after pediatric strabismus surgery. Because higher doses of droperidol may sedate some patients, the lowest effective dose should be used. In this study, however, there was no statistically significant difference with regard to length of recovery room stay.

• Authors: R E Brown Jr, D J James, R G Weaver, R D Wilhoit, L A Bauman
• Journal: Journal of clinical anesthesia (J Clin Anesth) 1991 Jul-Aug Vol. 3 Issue 4 Pg. 306-9 ISSN: 0952-8180 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1910799 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Droperidol

Topics

• Adolescent
• Anesthesia, Inhalation
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Double-Blind Method
• Droperidol (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Postoperative Complications (prevention & control)
• Strabismus (surgery)
• Vomiting (etiology, prevention & control)