BACKGROUND

In this randomized, double-blind study we assessed the efficacy and safety of three different doses of the 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist palonosetron, compared with placebo, on the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) for 72 h postsurgery.

METHODS

Five hundred seventy-four patients undergoing either outpatient abdominal or gynecological laparoscopic surgery were stratified according to gender, history of PONV or motion sickness, and nonsmoking status. Patients with>> or =2 PONV risk factors were eligible and randomized to receive one of three doses of IV palonosetron (0.025 mg, 0.050 mg, or 0.075 mg) or placebo immediately prior to induction of anesthesia. Co-primary efficacy end-points included complete response (CR: no emetic episodes and no rescue medication) during the 0 to 24 h and 24 to 72 h postoperative time intervals.

RESULTS

A dose-response trend in the proportion of patients with a CR was observed with increasing doses of palonosetron in the first 24 hrs. CR rates for placebo and palonosetron 0.075 mg were 26% and 43%, respectively, for the 0 to 24 h postoperative interval (P = 0.004), and 41% and 49%, respectively, for the 24 to 72 h interval (P = 0.188). Compared with placebo, palonosetron 0.075 mg was associated with a significant downward shift toward less intense nausea (P = 0.042) and with significant reduction in the impact of PONV on patient functioning (P = 0.004) during the 0 to 24 h interval.

CONCLUSIONS

A single 0.075-mg IV dose of palonosetron significantly increased the CR rate (no emetic episodes and no rescue medication) from 0 to 24 h, decreased nausea severity and patients experienced significantly less interference in their postoperative function due to PONV.