ROLE OF PROPHYLACTIC ANTIEMETICS IN ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Objective: To find out the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in oral and maxillofacial surgery done under general anaesthesia and to evaluate the purpose of using prophylactic antiemetic drugs. Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Oral and Maxillofacial Department, KEMU / Mayo Hospital Lahore, from September 2011 to June 2012. Method: The number of patients who were operated in oral and maxillofacial surgery ward irrespective of age and gender for this study were 240. Risk factors related with PONV including gender, anesthetic drug used, surgical procedure, approach used, total time of surgery and postoperative use of opioids were investigated. A “wait and watch” scheme was followed in patients with complaint of PONV. Antiemetics to be given in those cases where more than 2 episodes of vomiting took place. Results: It was found out that only 11 patients experienced from nausea and vomiting in post operative period. A notable relation was seen between PONV and female population, total time of surgery, anesthetic drug, surgery of tumor and temporomandibular joint. The surgical approach and opioids in postoperative period for PONV were found to be insignificant. Conclusion: PONV is not a significant finding in oral and maxillofacial surgery. We find out that there is no logic for the use of prophylactic antiemetic drugs in maxillofacial surgery.