Efficacy of opioid-free anesthesia in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting following gynecological laparoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Abstract
Background Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are a common complication following gynecological laparoscopic surgery, with opioid use being a significant contributing risk factor. Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) has emerged as an alternative approach to mitigate opioid-related adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of OFA in reducing PONV and its impact on postoperative recovery. Methods This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial enrolled 92 female patients undergoing elective gynecological laparoscopic surgery. The patients were randomized 1:1 into two groups, whereby the OFA group received anesthesia with esketamine (0.3 mg/kg) and dexmedetomidine (0.6 μg/kg), while the control group received conventional opioid-based anesthesia with sufentanil (0.3 μg/kg). Both groups underwent preoperative transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with ropivacaine (20 mL per side). Standardized perioperative monitoring and analgesic protocols were maintained. The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV within 48 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the Modified Observer’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (MOAA/S) score recovery time, postoperative pain scores, antiemetic and analgesic use, and quality of recovery (QoR-15 scores). Results On postoperative day 1, PONV incidence was significantly lower in the OFA group (15.2%) compared to the control group (34.8%) (P = 0.03), and by postoperative day 2, the difference between the groups was no longer…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 92 participants or records.
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