Introduction:

Postoperative nausea and vomiting are frequent adverse effects of anesthesia and surgery. Impact is greater in pediatric populations compared to adults and the reported incidences are heterogeneous.

Objective:

To describe the incidence of postoperative vomiting in a pediatric population and to identify associated risk factors.

Materials and methods:

This prospective cohort study included 190 children aged 3 to 12 years undergoing surgery and anesthesia in a maternal and child health clinic in Bucaramanga (Colombia). The main outcome variable was postoperative vomiting. Data were analyzed using bivariate, multivariate analysis and logistic regression to assess the associated risk factors.

Results:

The overall incidence of postoperative vomiting was 18.95% (95% CI: 13.32 - 24.57), with a higher incidence at home vs. hospital (12.63% vs. 9.47%). After adjustment, associated risk factors were anesthesia time longer than 45 minutes (OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.10-4.90) and postoperative use of opioids (OR: 4.17; 95% IC: 1.6510.5). The incidence of postoperative vomiting was higher in patients who underwent emergency surgery.

Conclusion:

This is the first study in Colombia that evaluates the incidence of postoperative vomiting in children. The incidence in our pediatric population is within the ranges reported worldwide. Associated risk factors were anesthesia time longer than 45 minutes and postoperative use of opioids. Further research is required in order to study emergency surgery as a potential risk factor.

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