Abstract: AIM: To evaluate the prophylactic effect of azasetron in different juncture injection on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during patients controlled intravenous ananlgesia (PCIA).METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients, scheduled for selective abdominal operations, were randomly divided into four groups:patients received an preoperative intravenous injection of 10 mg azasetron (Group A, n= 30), patients received an intravenous injection of 10 mg azasetron during abdominal cavity (Group B, n=30), patients received an intravenous injection of 10 mg azasetron when the operation were finished (Group C, n=30), patients with no azasetron as control (Group D, n=30).The incidence rate and score of PONV, the visual analogue scales (VAS) and Ramsay scores were recorded at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 h postoperatively.RESULTS: There was significant difference between the postoperative VAS during 12 to 48 h and that of 4 h postoperatively(Ρ<0.01 or Ρ<0.05).There was no somnolence and deep calm happening.The incidence of PONV in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group D(Ρ<0.01 or Ρ<0.05).The incidences of PONV in Group C in postoperative 0 to 4 h and 4 to 24 h were significantly lower than that in Group D(Ρ <0.05).There was no significant difference between Group B and D(Ρ>0.05).CONCLUSION: A preoperative intravenous injection of 10 mg azasetron can be used effectively to prevent PONV during PCIA.

Key words: azasetron, PCIA, nausea, vomiting