Effect of ondansetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting after breast cancer surgery

Objective: To evaluate the preventive effect of preoperative administration of ondansetron on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients receiving breast cancer surgery. Methods: Data from 225 patients who received modified radical mastectomy from January 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into an ondansetron group and a control group according to whether they received preoperative ondansetron or not. The incidence of PONV, visual analog scale (VAS) score, the rescue analgesics use and rescue antiemetic use, as well as the patient satisfaction degree about their PONV were compared between the two groups. Results: The ondansetron group showed lower total incidence of PONV, lower VAS score at 6 h post-operation as well as less rescue antiemetic use than the control group (P < 0.05). Patients in the ondansetron group were more satisfied with their PONV condition than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative administration of ondansetron can prevent PONV and relieve pain 2-24 hours after breast cancer surgery.