Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting
Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is nausea, retching, or vomiting that occurs within 24 to 48 hours after surgery. It is one of the most frequent complications of anaesthesia and surgery, affecting roughly one in three patients undergoing general anaesthesia.
Medicine used to treat Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting
Who is at higher risk
Several factors raise the likelihood of PONV. Women, non-smokers, people with a history of motion sickness or previous PONV, and those who will need opioid pain relief after the procedure are all considered higher-risk. Longer surgeries and certain procedure types, such as laparoscopic, gynaecological, and ear surgeries, also increase the chance of symptoms. Hospitals across Southeast Asia and East Asia use standardised risk scores to identify these patients before surgery so that prevention can begin early.
How it is managed
Antiemetic medicines are the main treatment. Serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as ondansetron are widely used both to prevent PONV before it starts and to treat it once it occurs. They work by blocking the signals in the gut and brain that trigger the vomiting reflex. For higher-risk patients, anaesthetists often combine two agents from different drug classes to improve control. Digestive health medicines are also relevant to overall recovery comfort. Staying well hydrated, choosing lighter foods, and moving slowly when first getting up after surgery can all help reduce symptoms alongside medical treatment.