The antipruritic and antiemetic effects of epidural droperidol: A study of three methods of administration

BACKGROUND: In this study, we compared rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and pruritus after using different protocols for administering epidural droperidol. METHODS: Using the same dose of droperidol, we evaluated the effectiveness of three different methods of administration (single, continuous, and combined) on the frequency of PONV and pruritus induced by continuous infusion of epidural fentanyl for 48 h postoperatively. One hundred sixty ASA physical status I and II patients who underwent surgical resection for colorectal cancer under general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia were randomly allocated into four groups: (a) control group (no droperidol), (b) single injection group (droperidol 2.5 mg), (c) continuous group (droperidol 1.25 mg/day) and (d) combined single (droperidol 1.25 mg) and continuous (droperidol 0.625 mg/day) group. RESULTS: Pruritus and PONV were significantly less frequent in all droperidol groups, when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence and the incidence over time of PONV were similar among all groups who received epidural droperidol. CONCLUSION: Epidural droperidol is effective for reducing pruritus and PONV, regardless of the method of administration.