SP8.1.2 The Effect of Ginger Oil on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) After Breast Augmentation Surgery

Abstract Aim Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the commonest complaints following general anaesthetic. Poorly controlled due to its multifactorial nature most current antiemetics are not effective and have an undesirable side effect profile. As such we have studied the effect of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale), a relatively inert yet powerful antiemetic and its properties in managing PONV. Methods A double-blind (surgeon/anaesthetist), randomised, placebo-controlled, single-centre study was carried out in a homogenous 30 female patient cohort undergoing breast augmentation surgery. Participants were randomly allocated to have 3 drops of either Ginger oil (110mg Zingiber officinale) or a simple control oil on the laryngeal mask before insertion. PONV and visual analogue scales (VAS) were used as outcome measures and were plotted against the dose of morphine used in the patient. Results Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted on the data. Using Pillai’s trace, there was a significant effect of ginger on PONV/VAS, V = 0.87, F(3,16)=34.78, P < 0.001. Separate univariate ANOVAs showed: PONV Mean=1.70, PONVSD=0.48 compared with no ginger treatment plan group; PONV Mean=4.20, PONVSD=0.79. VAS Mean= 5.0, VASSD=1.63 for the ginger treatment plan group; and VAS Mean=5.9, VASSD=2.33 for the no ginger treatment plan group. Conclusion This study has found that ginger has an important role in preventing postoperative vomiting, reducing postoperative nausea, and is useful in breast augmentation. We have demonstrated a novel application of ginger oil during induction of anaesthesia and have provided evidence of its use in opioid-induced PONV.