Postoperative nausea and vomiting in women following breast surgery: an audit.

A prospective observational study of 101 women having breast surgery under general anaesthesia was performed to assess the extent of postoperative nausea and vomiting in this group of women. The overall rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting was high, 56% and 41%, respectively, and was significantly associated with length of surgical procedure and morphine use. Techniques to reduce morphine requirement should be evaluated to try and reduce this cause of morbidity.