Effects of intraoperative liberal fluid therapy on postoperative nausea and vomiting in children-A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most distressing complications following surgery. Supplemental perioperative fluid therapy might be an effective strategy to reduce PONV in children.

OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intraoperative liberal fluid therapy with crystalloids on PONV in children.

METHODS: In this randomized trial, a total of 150 children of 3-7 years undergoing lower abdominal and penile surgery under general anesthesia were randomly assigned into two groups. "Restricted group" received 10 mL kg-1 h-1 and "Liberal group" received 30 mL kg-1 h-1 infusion of Ringer's lactate solution intraoperatively. All patients received a caudal block and intravenous paracetamol for analgesia. No opioids and muscle relaxants were used. All episodes of nausea-vomiting and the requirement of rescue antiemetic were assessed during 24 hours postoperatively.

RESULTS: The incidence of PONV was significantly less in the liberal group patients as compared to the restricted group; 33 (45.8%) patients in the restricted group had vomiting as compared to 20 (27.4%) patients in the liberal group (RR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38-0.93, P=.021). The adjusted odds ratio of PONV for the liberal group vs restricted group was 2.24 (95% CI: 1.12-4.48, P=.022). The incidence of fluid intake during the first 6 postoperative hours was significantly higher in the restricted group patients; 60 (83%) children in the restricted group complained of thirst as compared to 12 (17%) children in the liberal group (RR 0.19, 95% CI: 0.18-0.33, P=.0001). The parents of the liberal group were more satisfied as compared to the restricted group (mean difference -0.9, 95% CI: -1.8, -0.1, P=.04). None of the children had any complication attributed to the liberal fluid therapy.

CONCLUSION: Liberal intraoperative fluid therapy was found to be effective in reducing PONV in children undergoing lower abdominal surgery.