Postoperative vomiting in pediatric patients undergoing day care surgery in tertiary care center of Nepal: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Post-Operative Vomiting (POV) is a common complication in pediatric patients undergoing surgery, and it frequently results in unplanned hospital admissions after day care procedures. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of POV and identify potential risk factors associated with POV in pediatric day care surgery.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 213 pediatric patients aged between 6 months and 14 years who were scheduled for day care minor procedures. We evaluated the incidence of postoperative vomiting and assessed the possible risk factors, including gender, age, and a history of motion sickness in both the parents and children.

Results: The incidence of postoperative vomiting was found to be 14.7%. Among male children, 15.7% experienced POV, while among female children, the incidence was 13.9%, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.728). Children with a positive history of motion sickness had a higher incidence of POV at 27.8%, compared to 13.8% in those with a negative history, although this association was not statistically significant (Odds Ratio - OR 2.41, 95% Confidence Interval - CI 0.79-7.32, p=0.11). There was no significant association between POV and a positive history of motion sickness in parents (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.19-1.45, p=0.21), nor was there any association with the age of the patients (OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.801-1.003, p= 0.52).

Conclusions: The incidence of postoperative vomiting in pediatric day care surgery was observed to be 14.9%. There was no any significant associations between postoperative vomiting and gender, age, or the history of motion sickness in either the children or their parents.