[Postoperative nausea and vomiting and their sex differences].

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are two of the commonest and most distressing complications of general anesthesia and surgery. Factors affecting PONV are patient characteristics, surgical procedure, anesthetic technique, and postoperative care. Female patients have 1.5-3 times greater incidence of PONV than males, due to increased plasma progesterone levels during their menstrual cycles. However, the exact reason for this difference is unknown. Most of published trials indicate improved prophylaxis against PONV by avoiding risk factors and/or by using effective antiemetic therapy (e. g., traditional and non-traditional antiemetics, serotonin receptor antagonists). Non-pharmacotherapy (e. g., P6 acupressure) is also important. Knowledge regarding prophylactic antiemetic therapy is necessary to management of PONV in female patients.