Vomiting after outpatient tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in children: the role of nitrous oxide.

Abstract

The role of nitrous oxide anesthesia in causing postoperative vomiting (POV) was studied in 60 children undergoing outpatient tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. In this controlled, randomized, double-blind investigation, anesthesia was induced by inhalation of a volatile anesthetic in both groups. The nonnitrous oxide group received no nitrous oxide, even during induction of anesthesia. Designated nurses in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) who were blinded to the anesthetic technique evaluated the incidence and the severity of the patient's emetic symptoms, both in the PACU as well as after discharge. Pharmacologic intervention was administered on the basis of evaluation by the nurses. Although a high incidence of POV was noted in both groups, there was no difference in either the incidence or the severity of POV between the group receiving nitrous oxide and the group receiving no nitrous oxide.