Abstract
Objective: To asses the efficacy of droperidol and metoclopramide for prevention of post operative
nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia.
Materials and Methods: This is a double blind, placebo controlled randomized study performed at
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran on one hundred and fifty ASA physical status 1 or 2
(classification of physical status by American Society of Anesthesiologists) adult patients undergoing
elective ophthalmic surgery (cataract). All the patients were anesthetized with endotracheal intubation and
received either metoclopramide 0.15mg/kg, droperidol 0.02mg/kg or placebo approximately 10-15
minutes before extubation. Direct observation of the vomiting by the nurse in the Post Anesthesia Care
Unit (PACU) for at least 2 hours and in the ward for 24 hours was made. Chi-square test with descriptive
statistical method was employed for data analysis.
Results: There significant difference between groups received pharmacological intervention and placebo
group (P<0.01). However, droperidol in comparison to metoclopramide significantly decreased incidence
of PONV (P<0.02).
Conclusion: Droperidol 0.02mg/kg seems to be suitable for the prevention of PONV without significant
sedative effects. (Rawal Med J 2007;32:125-127).

Key words: Vomiting, nausea, antiemetics, , droperidol, metoclopramide, post operative.