A Randomised Controlled Trial to Compare the Effect of Ramosetron and Ondansetron in Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Gynaecological Procedures

Background and objective The antiemetic drug is one of the most common armamentariums in an anaesthesiologist's pharmacopoeia to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). PONV is one of the usual side effects after general anaesthesia, especially in female patients (21%) and after laparoscopic surgery (60%). This study aimed to compare the efficacy of ondansetron with ramosetron.Methodology After institutional ethical clearance and informed written consent, one hundred female patients scheduled for laparoscopic gynaecological surgeries were selected for this prospective, double-blinded, randomised interventional study. These patients were further subdivided into two equal groups (50 in groups R and O). Group R received ramosteron 0.3mg, and group O received ondansetron 8mg 30 minutes before the end of surgery. Patients were assessed between 0-2, 2-6, 6-12 and 12-24 hrs in the postoperative period. The primary objective of this study was to compare the effect of a single dose of ramosetron (0.3mg) with a single dose of ondansetron (8mg) for the prevention of PONV after general anaesthesia in laparoscopic surgeries. The secondary goal was to record the time of occurrence of the first episode of PONV, the need for rescue antiemetics, patient satisfaction scores, and to look for any side effects.Results This study shows no significant difference in the reduction of PONV incidence between group O and group R in the first 24 hours of the postoperative period. The overall incidence of PONV was significantly higher in the early postoperative (0-6 hrs) than in the late postoperative period (6-24 hrs), i.e., 51% and 13%, respectively. The requirement of rescue antiemetic was higher in group O than in group R but not statistically significant. In our study, both groups had similar patient satisfaction scores. Headache was the most common side effect and was noted in 9% of the patient population. Conclusion We conclude that ramosetron is as effective as ondansetron in preventing the incidence and severity of PONV up to 24 hours postoperatively.