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

Anaesthesia. 2001 Oct;56(10):927-32. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2044.2001.02209.x.

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 x 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.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Analgesia*
  • Anesthesia, Dental
  • Anesthesia, General
  • Antiemetics / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dental Restoration, Permanent*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Ondansetron / therapeutic use*
  • Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / prevention & control*
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Antiemetics
  • Ondansetron