Ramosetron, midazolam, and combination of ramosetron and midazolam for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of ramosetron, midazolam, and the combination of ramosetron and midazolam in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in female patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

Methods: Patients were randomized to receive 0.3 mg ramosetron (Group R), 75 µg/kg midazolam (Group M) or 0.3 mg ramosetron combined with 75 µg/kg midazolam (Group RM) before the induction of anaesthesia. PONV, use of rescue antiemetics, pain severity and fentanyl consumption were assessed for 24 h after thyroidectomy.

Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled; 94 patients completed the study. The severity of nausea was statistically significantly reduced at 0-2 h in Group RM compared with Groups R and M, and at 2-6 h in Group RM compared with Group M. The incidence of retching and vomiting was significantly lower at 0-2 h, 2-6 h, 6-12 h in Group RM than in Group M, and lower in Group R than Group M at 6-12 h. The requirement for rescue antiemetics was significantly lower at 0-2 h in group RM than in group M.

Conclusions: The combination therapy of ramosetron and midazolam provided superior antiemetic efficacy compared with midazolam single therapy, but did not show any significant additional benefits compared with ramosetron single therapy.