Effect of Propofol on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section under Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: To analyze anti-emetic effect of sub-hypnotic dose of Propofol in patients undergoing cesarean section. Study Design and Setting: Prospective, Interventional Randomized Clinical trial done at PAF Hospital Islamabad, from 1stAugust 2021 to 31stJanuary 2022. Methodology: A total of 60 patients undergoing elective cesarean under spinal anesthesia were selected for the study. Selected patients were randomly allocated either of the two groups. Patients included in the Group A received sub hypnotic intravenous dose of Propofol as per their body weight, whereas the Group B patients received intravenous saline (0.9%). Postoperative nausea and vomiting was assessed during patients’ PACU stay of 1 hour using the subjective feelings of the patients. If the patient complains of vomiting in PACU, an intravenous dose of 10mg Metoclopramide was given as rescue antiemetic. Results: Mean age of patients was 30.73±4.51 years. APFEL score 3 was observed in 15 (50.0%) in group A and 15 (50.0%) in group B. Score 4 was observed in 4 (13.3%) in group A and 08 (26.7%) in group B( p-value 0.33).Vomiting was observed in 06 (20.0%) in group A and 24 (80.0%) in group B respectively( p-value of <0.01).Nausea was found in 08 (26.7%) in group A and 25 (83.3%) in group B (p-value <0.01). Conclusion: Propofol in sub-hypnotic dose is effective in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.