Anaesthesia With Sevoflurane In Children: Nitrous Oxide Does Not Increase Postoperative Vomiting

Background : Nitrous oxide (N-2 O) has been associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), but some studies show conflicting data. The aim of this study was to assess whether the combination of N-2 O/sevoflurane, in paediatric general anaesthesia, increases the incidence of vomiting in the 24 h following surgery compared with sevoflurane alone.Methods : One hundred and fourteen children, aged 1-10 years, who underwent testicle and inguinal hernia surgery, were randomized to receive one of the following two anaesthetic regimens: sevoflurane with 70% N-2 O (group A) or sevoflurane alone (group B).Results : No significant differences were observed in the incidence of postoperative vomiting between the two groups. The overall incidence of postoperative vomiting was 14.9%; 14.3% in group A and 15.5% in group B (P =0.9).Conclusions : Nitrous oxide used in combination with sevoflurane is not associated with an increase in the incidence of emesis in children who undergo testicle and inguinal hernia procedures.