Factors Associated with Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting after Breast Cancer Surgery with Inhalation Anesthesia

Background: The incidence and risk factors of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and early PONV (ePONV) were evaluated in patients who underwent breast surgery with volatile anesthesia. Methods: In this retrospective study, multivariate logistic regression was used to determine incidence and identify risk factors for PONV. Results: Among 928 patients, 166 (18%) and 220 (24%) had ePONV and PONV, respectively. In multivariate analysis, anesthesia duration and use of desflurane were independent risk factors for ePONV. For PONV, anesthesia duration and Apfel score were independent risk factors. Conclusions: Our results indicate that desflurane was the main cause of ePONV. However, during the delayed phase, a higher Apfel score was the strongest predictor. In the early and delayed phases, long anesthesia duration was associated with high risk of PONY. Thus, prolonged anesthesia and desflurane use should be avoided for patients at high risk of PONV, particularly those with high Apfel scores.