Background & Aims: Although intraspinal opioid has been presented to be effective in providing analgesia after cesarean delivery, pruritus as a side-effect remains a common cause of dissatisfaction. We undertook a study to assess the efficacy of ondansetron for treatment or prophylaxis of intrathecal fentanyl-induced pruritus. The role of ondansetron has been studied in preventing pruritus but the results have been contradictory.

Materials & Methods: We randomized 110 patients undergoing elective cesarean section using spinal anesthesia with Marcaine 10 mg plus fentanyl 25 µg and into a double-blinded trial to receive ondansetron 4 mg (study group) or placebo (control or placebo group) after clamping of umbilical cord. Intra and post-operative itching, nausea and vomiting, and shivering in the recovery room were registered.

Results: Forty percent of the patients in the placebo group and 23.6% in the ondansetron group had itching intraoperative (P=0.04). The incidence of post-operative itching was 38.2%, 21.8% in placebo and ondansetron groups, respectively (P=0.04). The patients reported less intra and post-operative nausea and vomiting in the ondansetron group than in the placebo group (P=0.01). There was no difference in the incidence of shivering between two groups.

Conclusion: This study showed that the prophylactic ondansetron reduced itching, nausea and vomiting intra and postoperative caused by intrathecal fentanyl with marcaine

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2016: 27(2): 154 ISSN: 1027-3727