Nausea and vomiting during spinal anaesthesia

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Abstract
A randomised, double-blind investigation was undertaken into the value of metoclopramide and domperidone as anti-emetics in orthopaedic patients who received spinal anaesthesia. Seventy-seven patients were divided into three statistically comparable groups: Group I received 10 mg metoclopramide, Group II 10 mg domperidone, and Group III NaCl as placebo. These substances were given intravenously before the spinal puncture. There was a comparable decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), level of sensory block and dose of tetracaine in all three groups. The patients who were nauseated and/or vomited showed a greater decrease in MAP. The incidence of nausea and/or vomiting in the metoclopramide and the placebo group were similar, 20% and 15% respectively, whereas this complication was apparent in 35% of patients who received domperidone. We conclude that metoclopramide and domperidone in the dosages used are ineffective in alleviating nausea and vomiting after spinal anaesthesia.