Comparison of granisetron and palonosetron for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery: a prospective randomised study.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), a common and uncomfortable consequence of anaesthesia and surgery, can lead to dehydration, alkalosis, aspiration, and psychological distress, including a reluctance to undergo future surgical procedures. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of Granisetron and Palonosetron on the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery under general anaesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomised prospective study, after a full preoperative evaluation and investigation, patients meeting the inclusion criteria were taken for the study. 80 patients were selected and randomly divided into two groups. Group G received 40 mcg/kg of granisetron and group P was administered palonosetron 1 mcg/kg before induction of anesthesia. The patients were monitored in the postoperative period and PONV scores were observed at 0-2, 4-6, 6-12, and 12-24 hours postoperatively. Rescue antiemetic, in the form of Dexamethasone 4 mg IV, was administered with PONV score <1. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to the classification of ASA, the sex distribution, age, BMI or the duration of anaesthesia, making the two groups comparable. PONV scores were comparable between the two groups during 0 to 2 hours and 2 to 6 hours postoperatively (p value>0.05). During the 6- to 12-hour interval and the 12- to 24-hour interval, PONV scores were significantly lower in patients in Group P (p-value 0.022). There was no statistically significant difference between the antiemetic rescue requirement between the group G and group P (p-value 0.152). CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that both granisetron and palonosetron are effective in controlling PONV in the immediate postoperative period, but palonosetron is superior to granisetron in preventing PONV beyond 6 hours.