Pediatr. praxi. 2023;24(4):239-243 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2023.063

Prevention, diagnosis and therapy of postoperative nausea and vomiting in children

MUDr. Michal Frelich, Ph.D.^{1, 3}, MUDr. Filip Burša, Ph.D.^{1, 3}, MUDr. Peter Sklienka, Ph.D.^{1, 3}, MUDr. Vojtěch Vodička¹, MUDr. Markéta Nowaková, MBA^{2, 3}, MUDr. Ondřej Jor, Ph.D.^{1, 3}, MUDr. Bořek Trávníček, MBA^{2, 3}, doc. MUDr. Jan Pavlíček, Ph.D.^{2, 3}

¹ Klinika anesteziologie, resuscitace a intenzivní medicíny, Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava

² Klinika dětského lékařství, Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava

³ Lékařská fakulta, Ostravská univerzita, Ostrava

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common postoperative complication with overall incidence of 20-30 %, however, with high risk procedures it increases up to 80 %. PONV is the main cause of the patient´s discomfort, worsens perioperative morbidity and put the child at risk of dehydratation, dehiscence of surgical wound and bleeding. PONV prolongs the lenght of stay (PACU, in-hospital care). The cornerstone of PONV management is the identification of high risk pediatric patients and an adequate pre-operative pharmacological prevention. Dexamethasone and ondansetron (or their combination) are the first line medications. In case of failure, rescue therapy should be provided with other pharmacological agents.

Keywords: postoperative nausea and vomiting, dexamethasone, ondansetron, children.

Accepted: August 21, 2023; Published: September 8, 2023  Show citation