The Effect of Ginger and Ondansetron on Post-Operative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Eye Surgery: A Triple-Blind Clinical Trial

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is still a common complication that occurs frequently at the time of recovery from eye surgery. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the effect of oral Ondansetron and Ginger on the frequency and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing eye surgery. Methods: A total of 148 patients were randomly assigned to Ginger, Ondansetron, and placebo groups. Group A received a Ginger capsule (1,000 mg), group B Ondansetron capsule (16 mg), and group C placebo capsule with 30 ml water, one hour before surgery. The frequency of nausea and vomiting and the severity of nausea were recorded immediately after recovery, 1, 2, and 4 hours after recovery. Also, some side effects following prescription such as headache, stomach ache, dizziness, and cardiac arrhythmias were recorded. Results: Of the 148 participants, 54% were men, and 46% were women. The average age was in group Ginger (36.14 2.17), group Ondansetron (36.24 2.49), and group placebo (36.24 2.20). There was no significant difference in the frequency of vomiting between the three groups immediately after recovery (P = 0.19) and 4 hours after surgery (P = 0.18). However, the frequency of vomiting in Ginger and Ondansetron groups 1 and 2 hours after the surgery was significantly lower than that in the control group (P = 0.003). No significant difference was observed in the severity of nausea between the three groups at certain times (P 0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of the need for injection antiemetic drugs after surgery (P = 0.2). Conclusions: Ginger and Ondansetron can reduce the frequency of vomiting. However, Ginger was more effective, safer, and less expensive than Ondansetron; therefore, it may be a better substitute for Ondansetron to prevent PONV.