Assessment of Efficacy of Various Anesthetic Agents in Reduction of Nausea and Vomiting Postoperatively: A Comparative Study

A BSTRACT Background: “Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)” are frequent adverse effects following anesthesia, which may exert significant implications on patient postoperative recovery and comfort. Current trial aimed to compare the efficacy of Remimazolam in relation to Propofol for reducing PONV in surgical patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. A group of patients was given Remimazolam, and another propofol. The incidence of PONV and severity of nausea were determined, the number of episodes of vomiting were recorded, and the requirement for rescue antiemetics was also noted at 24 hours post-surgery. Results: Overall PONV incidence was significantly lower in Remimazolam group (12%) as compared to Propofol group (34%), P = 0.02. Rescue antiemetics were also less used in the Remimazolam group (8%) than in the Propofol group (27%) ( P = 0.03). The Remimazolam group also showed a lower VAS score by nausea severity ( P = 0.04). Conclusion: Compared with Propofol, Remimazolam had the best effectiveness in PONV events, necessity of using rescue antiemetics and degree of nausea at point. These findings may indicate that Remimazolam is a more suitable anesthetic for high-risk PONV patients.