Comparison Of Post Operative Nausea And Vomiting With Propofol Versus Isoflurane Used In Maintenance Of General Anesthesia For Laproscopic Cholecystectomy: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

This study compared the effects of propofol and isoflurane as maintenance anesthetic agents on the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Conducted as a double-blind, prospective observational study at Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, it included 80 patients randomized into two groups: propofol (Group P) and isoflurane (Group I). PONV was assessed at three postoperative intervals (0–4, 4–12, and 12–24 hours), and rescue antiemetics were administered for significant nausea or vomiting. The results showed significantly lower PONV incidence and severity in the propofol group, with reduced need for rescue antiemetics and improved recovery. While propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) incurs higher initial costs, its superior outcomes and overall cost-effectiveness support its use in LC to enhance patient comfort and recovery.