The antiemetic and dysphoric effects of droperidol in the day surgery patient

The incidence of sine-effects of two doses of droperidol used as a prophylactic antiemetic were compared (10 vs 20 mu g/kg). Two hundred and twenty-eight women for day case laparoscopy were recruited Pain and nausea scores were collected in the recovery area and in the Day Surgery Unit prior to discharge. A telephone follow-up questionnaire was administered. Incidences of anxiety, restlessness and dysphoric reactions were similar in both groups (29.2% vs 29.0%). The incidence of postoperative vomiting varied from 4.4 to 7.7%, There were no significant differences between the two groups when nausea scores, incidences of vomiting and pain after discharge were compared. An unexpected finding was the significantly higher incidence of pain in the 10 mu g/kg group. We conclude that there is no advantage in lowering the dose of droperidol below 20 mu g/kg in this group of patients.