In this placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 208 outpatients under standardized anesthetic technique were randomized to receive dexamethasone 8 mg before anesthesia induction and metoclopramide, 10 mg at the end of surgery (Group A), dexamethasone 8 mg before anesthesia induction and placebo at the end of surgery (Group B), placebo before anesthesia induction and metoclopramide, 10 mg at the end of surgery (Group C) or placebo before anesthesia induction and at the end of surgery (Group D). Complete response to prophylactic antiemetic medication was defined as no vomiting, no sustained moderate nausea and no requesting of antiemetic drug.
During predischarge period, the number of patients with complete response to prophylactic antiemetic medication was significantly higher in Groups B (90.4%) and A (86.5%) in comparison with Groups D (55.8%) and C (75%). At the 24 h follow-up evaluation, complete response was higher in Group A (96.2%) in comparison with Groups C (67.3%) and D (78.8%).
Dexamethasone-metoclopramide combination is not more effective than administration of dexamethasone alone in the prophylaxis of (PONV).