Prediction of intraoperative nausea and vomiting in caesarean delivery under regional anaesthesia

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to predict patients who have caesarean operations under regional anaesthesia and are at risk for intraoperative nausea and vomiting (IONV), for ultimately prompting anaesthetists and surgeons to take preventive measures. METHODS: This was a retrospective study on 209 patients who had caesarean section under spinal-epidural combined regional anaesthesia. The relevant medical history, such as severe nausea and vomiting in the first trimester, smoking, a history of motion sickness, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), were obtained from the patients’ records and interviews. RESULTS: Patients who had a female neonate, a history of severe nausea and vomiting in the first trimester, and a history of PMS and motion sickness before pregnancy experienced a significantly higher rate of IONV. Smokers were less susceptible to IONV, but this was not significant. CONCLUSION: This study shows that some factors in the medical history of a patient can help identify those who are more likely to suffer from IONV.