Study of the Association between Anesthetic Agents, Antiemetic Prophylaxis with Dexamethasone, and the Occurrence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) can have significant consequences on postoperative recovery and quality of care. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between anesthetic agents, antiemetic prophylaxis with dexamethasone (APD), and the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Method: We conducted a case-control study (Cases: patients who received APD; Controls: patients who did not receive APD) including 108 patients who underwent surgery in the ENT, traumatology, and gynecology departments of Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. Sociodemographic data and the frequency of PONV within 48 hours post-surgery were collected in both groups and analyzed using R software. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess the association between anesthetic agents, APD, and the occurrence of PONV (95% CI, alpha = 5%). Results: The mean age of patients was 39.8 ± 10.2 years, with a male predominance (54.6%). PONV occurred in 7 (13%) patients in the case group and in 19 (35.2%) in the control group. Fentanyl (p = 0.012) and Halothane (p = 0.008) were significantly associated with the occurrence of PONV, while no significant association was found with Thiopental (p = 0.174), Propofol (p = 0.245), Ketamine (p = 0.108), or Isoflurane (p = 0.604). Conclusion: Anesthetic agents such as thiopental, propofol, ketamine, and isoflurane, when combined with DAP, may have effects on reducing the frequency of PONV.