Abstract: Nausea and vomiting is known to be associated with the use of anaesthetic technique for many years. Ondansetron a gold standard drug used for treatment of post operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is short acting and multiple doses are needed. Objective of the present study is to compare the efficacy of palonosetron and ondansetron for prevention of PONV in patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia.

Methods: 140 patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were randomised and allocated into two groups after taking into consideration inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group I received ondansetron 8mg intravenously and Group II received palonosetron 0.075mg intravenously 5 min before the induction of anesthesia. In all patients general anaesthesia given using thiopentone as inducing agent. Occurrence of PONV was noted and was scored for 24 hrs.

Results: The incidence of PONV was significantly lower in the palonosetron group compared with the ondansetron group (24.3% vs 78.6%, respectively). Emetic episodes were observed in 5.71% of patients in palonosetron group compared to 61.4% of patients in ondansetron group (P value <0.001). The results were clinically and statistically significant.

Conclusion: Incidence of PONV and emetic episodes is less in patients who had received palonosetron in comparison to those who had received ondansetron. From the study we conclude that palonosetron is more efficacious than ondansetron for prevention of PONV in patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anesthesia.