Acupuncture versus ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative vomiting: A study of children undergoing dental surgery

M. Somri, S. J. Vaida, E. Sabo, G. Yassain, I. Gankin, L. A. Gaitini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study compares the anti-emetic effect of acupuncture with that of ondansetron and a placebo. Ninety children undergoing dental treatment under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated to one of the three equal groups, to receive acupuncture needle insertion, intravenous ondansetron 0.15 mg.kg-1 or a placebo. Parental satisfaction scores and the incidence of emetic episodes were recorded. A significant difference was found in the number of patients who vomited and the total number of the emetic episodes when comparing the two treatment groups with the placebo group (p < 0.0001). A significant difference was also found between the treatment groups and the placebo group with respect to parental satisfaction score (p < 0.03). We conclude that traditional Chinese acupuncture is a valid non-pharmacological alternative anti-emetic treatment that can be recommended as a prophylactic technique in children undergoing dental surgery under general anaesthesia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)927-932
Number of pages6
JournalAnaesthesia
Volume56
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Acupuncture versus ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative vomiting: A study of children undergoing dental surgery'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this