Ineffectiveness of acupuncture and droperidol in preventing vomiting following strabismus repair in children.

The antiemetic effects and side-effects of P6 acupuncture and droperidol pre-treatment were evaluated in a randomized, patient- and observer-blinded study. Ninety unpremedicated children of ASA physical status I or II undergoing outpatient strabismus repair, and aged over one year, were studied. All patients received intravenous thiopentone 5 mg.kg-1, atropine 0.02 mg.kg-1 and succinylcholine 1.5 mg.kg-1, and the trachea was intubated. Patients then received either intravenous droperidol 0.075 mg.kg-1, droperidol plus five minutes' P6 acupuncture, or acupuncture alone. Anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide 66% and halothane 1.5-2.0% in oxygen with spontaneous ventilation. There was no difference in the incidence of vomiting in the droperidol group (17% before discharge from hospital and 41% up to 48 hours after discharge), combined treatment group (17% and 34% respectively) and acupuncture group (27% and 45% respectively). Corresponding figures for the incidence of vomiting before discharge were 17%, 17% and 27% respectively; these values were also not different. The incidence of restlessness was significantly greater in children receiving droperidol (63%) or both treatments (67%) than in those receiving acupuncture alone (30%; P = 0.007). P6 acupuncture and droperidol are equally ineffective in preventing vomiting within 48 hours of paediatric strabismus repair. Droperidol is associated with increased incidence of postoperative restlessness.