Dexamethasone Versus Metoclopramide for Prophylaxis of Nausea and Vomiting After Cataract Surgery

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common consequence of ambulatory surgery, affecting up to 80% of high-risk patients and 20-30% overall. Despite being widespread, a prior survey found that patients are more averse to PONV than pain and other significant postoperative problems. Furthermore, even mild cases of PONV can have serious repercussions, such as postanesthesia care unit (PACU) workflow disruption, delayed discharges, higher medical costs, and lower patient satisfaction.PONV following intraocular surgery can be unpleasant and may lead to serious complications including suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH). SCH is a potentially serious condition that occurs when the posterior ciliary arteries or vortex veins burst, resulting in blood in the suprachoroidal region.

The hypothesis is that dexamethasone will lower the incidence of PONV after cataract surgery when compared with metoclopramide.