The Post-anesthesia Care Unit - Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication of GA and less often of regional anesthesia. Patients should be stratified preoperatively with regard to their risk of PONV. The incidence of PONV is higher in women, nonsmokers, and patients with a history of PONV or motion sickness and when nitrous oxide and volatile anesthetics are used under GA. Certain types of surgery (cholecystectomy, laparoscopy, and gynecologic) may also increase the risk for PONV.

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