Postoperative nausea and vomiting in children.

The prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in children remains an important challenge for the pediatric anesthesiologist. Despite a clearer understanding of the physiology of emesis and with the development of new anesthetic and antiemetic agents, PONVis still an important cause of morbidity. The approach to minimizing this complication is multifactorial and includes proper preoperative preparation, a rational approach to intraoperative antiemetic prophylaxis, choice of appropriate anesthetic agents and techniques, and a definitive plan for postoperative care. This review gives a brief account of the numerous classes of antiemetics available to treat this condition and the various strategies that can be used to reduce PONV.