Nitrous oxide does not increase vomiting after dental restorations in children.

Abstract

The effect of nitrous oxide on postoperative vomiting was evaluated in 330 children who underwent outpatient dental restorations. There were two groups in this single-blind, randomized, controlled study. One group received nitrous oxide during their anesthetic, while the non-nitrous oxide group did not receive nitrous oxide at any time. Anesthesia was induced by inhalation with halothane or with propofol intravenously. The incidence of vomiting for 24 h after surgery was recorded. Overall, the incidence of vomiting was similar, with 30% of the control patients and 35% of the nitrous-treated patients vomiting after their anesthetic. However, in-hospital vomiting was less in the control group: 15% vs 24%, control versus nitrous oxide, P = 0.03. In conclusion, nitrous oxide does not alter postoperative vomiting after halothane anaesthesia for dental restorations in children.