Preoperative reflux or regurgitation symptoms are independent predictors of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing bariatric surgery: a propensity score matching analysis

Background Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is common side effect after gastrointestinal surgery. It causses discomfort, increase risk of incision disruption, bleeding and airway blockage. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and severity of PONV and determine whether preoperative reflux or regurgitation symptoms influence PONV in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Methods Patients with obesity underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in our center between January 2016 and December 2018 were divided into PONV and NoPONV group and analyzed retrospectively. PONV and postoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) were analyzed after surgery. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) method was performed, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors for PONV. Results There were 483 patients enrolled, with a mean age of 30.19 +/- 9.96 years, and 134 pairs of matched patients were selected from PONV group and NoPONV group after PSM. PONV occurred in 288 (59.6%) patients after bariatric surgery (77.4% after LSG vs 21.5% after LRYGB, p < 0.001). In PONV group, 210 (72.9%) were female, preoperative reflux or regurgitation symptoms were 128 (33.6%). Multivariable analysis found that preoperative reflux or regurgitation symptoms were independent risk factors for PONV after LSG, with an OR of 2.78 (95% CI: 1.12-6.93, p = 0.028). Conclusions Incidence of PONV after bariatric surgery is high. For the first time, this study valued preoperative reflux or regurgitation symptoms as risk factors that may promote PONV after bariatric surgery. Patients with preoperative symptoms undergoing LSG have a higher risk of PONV, so these patients should be carefully evaluated for the feasibility of LSG before surgery.