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British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2002, Vol. 88, No. 6 819-823
© 2002 The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia

Clinical Investigations

Evaluation of postural stability after low-dose droperidol in outpatients undergoing gynaecological dilatation and curettage procedure

D. Song, F. Chung*, S. Yogendran and J. Wong

Department of Anaesthesia, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, 399 Bathurst Street EC2-046, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada *Corresponding author

Background. Low-dose droperidol is suggested to be cost-effective in preventing nausea and vomiting after ambulatory surgery. This clinical study evaluated patient postural stability using a computerized force platform after an i.v. dose of droperidol 0.625 mg in outpatients undergoing gynaecological dilatation and curettage procedures.

Methods. After institutional approval and informed consent, 120 females were randomly assigned to receive either 0.9% saline (placebo) or droperidol 0.625 mg i.v. before surgery. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol 2–2.5 mg kg–1 and fentanyl 50–100 µg, and was maintained with intermittent boluses of propofol 25–50 mg and fentanyl 25–50 µg i.v. After operation, the Post-Anaesthesia Discharge Score (PADS), patient self-assessment scores for pain, nausea, drowsiness and dizziness, and extrapyramidal symptoms were recorded. Body sway velocity was measured while the patient was standing on a firm surface with eyes open then closed vs standing on a foam surface with eyes open then closed, at the time of arrival in the operation holding area (baseline), on achieving a PADS of 9 after surgery and on discharge home.

Results. At the time of achieving a PADS of 9, body sway was significantly greater in the droperidol group than in the placebo group (overall 61% vs 33% above baseline). There were no differences between groups with respect to scores for pain, nausea, drowsiness and dizziness. Three patients (5%) in the droperidol group reported nervousness and restlessness postoperatively (not significant).

Conclusion. Low-dose droperidol 0.625 mg i.v. for anti-emetic prophylaxis can cause balance disturbances in females after gynaecological dilatation and curettage procedures.

Br J Anaesth 2002; 88: 819–23


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