EFFICACY OF GASTRIC ASPIRATION IN REDUCING POST-TONSILLECTOMY VOMITING IN CHILDREN
Abstract
Background: Nausea and vomiting are two of the most frequently experienced postoperative sideeffects complicating one third of the cases. The objective of this study was to determine theeffectiveness of gastric decompression in reducing the incidence and complications associated withpost-tonsillectomy vomiting in children. Methods: This was a randomised control study conducted atthe ENT Department, Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad from January to June 2012. Patientsincluded in this study were divided into two groups, group A undergoing gastric aspiration and group Bnot undergoing gastric aspiration. Gastric aspiration was done with an oro-gastric tube placed underdirect visualisation while the patient was still under general anaesthesia. The incidence of vomiting,episodes of vomiting and the need for rescue anti-emetic prophylaxis were noted. Results: A total of 54patients were included in the study. Their ages ranged from 5 to12 years with mean age 7.85±2.18years. No statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was noted between the two groups for the patientsexperiencing vomiting (33% vs 41%, p=0.389), the mean number of episodes of vomiting (0.71 vs0.88, p=0.555), and patients requiring rescue anti-emetics (11% vs 15%, p=0.500). Conclusion: Gastricaspiration during tonsillectomy is not useful in reducing post-tonsillectomy vomiting.Keywords: Gastric aspiration, Tonsillectomy, Vomiting, PostoperativeReferences
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