[Use of Nasogastric Tube does not Reduce the Incidence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Positive-pressure Ventilation Using LMA Supreme™].

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication of general anesthe- sia. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of nasogastric (NG) tube can decrease the incidence of PONV in patients undergoing positive- pressure ventilation using LMA SupremeTM (SLMA).

Methods: We retrospectively examined the medical records of 176 patients who had undergone orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia. SLMA was inserted after the induction of anesthesia, and positive-pressure ventilation was continued during the operation. Intra- operative NG tube was used in 89 patients (N group) but not in 87 patients, who served as the control group (C group). The incidence of PONV during 24 hours after the operation and the amount of postoperative oral intake were compared between the two groups.

Results: There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative nausea (10.1% vs 10.3%) and vomiting (4.5% vs 4.6%) between the N group and the C group. Both groups received 'similar amount of postoperative oral intake.

Conclusions: We conclude that using NG tube does not reduce the risk of PONV in patients undergoing positive-pressure ventilation using SLMA.