Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting — A Multimodal Solution to a Persistent Problem

Despite the introduction of new antiemetic agents, short-acting anesthetics, and minimally invasive surgical techniques, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting has remained largely unchanged over the past two decades.1 The high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting has persisted in part because of the tremendous growth in ambulatory surgery and the increased emphasis on earlier mobilization and discharge after both minor and major operations.Prophylactic use of antiemetics has become the standard approach to minimizing emetic symptoms after surgery because patients are more satisfied with this approach than with the treatment of symptoms when they occur in the postoperative . . .