Adding Aprepitant to a Multimodal Strategy for the Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-risk Outpatient Surgical Patients
This study aims to make sure fewer people feel sick or vomit after surgery, especially day surgery where patients go home quickly. Feeling sick after an operation can be very unpleasant and sometimes even lead to patients having to return to hospital. Even when following current guidelines, about a quarter of patients still experience sickness at home. Researchers want to see if adding a 40mg dose of a drug called aprepitant to the usual methods of preventing sickness helps. They are focusing on adults who are at a higher risk of feeling unwell after their operation. The goal is to improve how patients feel after surgery and help them recover more comfortably at home.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Feeling sick or throwing up after an operation is quite common and can be very upsetting. It's known as postoperative nausea and vomiting, or PONV. While doctors do their best to prevent this, using various medicines and methods, some people still experience these problems, especially in the first couple of days after surgery, even after they've gone home.
For people having day surgery, where they don't stay in hospital overnight, this can be particularly difficult because they're managing their recovery at home. Sometimes, feeling sick or vomiting can be even worse than the pain from the surgery itself, and in some cases, it can even lead to people needing to go back to hospital.
This study is looking at whether adding a specific medicine, aprepitant (given as a 40mg dose), to the usual ways doctors prevent sickness after surgery makes a difference. The main goal is to find out if it can significantly reduce the chances of patients feeling sick, throwing up, or needing extra medicine for these symptoms within 48 hours of their operation. They are specially focusing on people who are more likely to experience sickness after surgery.
Key takeaways
- The study aims to reduce sickness and vomiting after day surgery.
- It tests an existing medicine, aprepitant, alongside usual care.
- Only adults at higher risk of sickness after surgery can join.
- Participation involves monitoring for 48 hours after your operation.
- The goal is to improve patient comfort and recovery at home.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and planning to have surgery where you go home the same day (outpatient surgery).
You're also considered for the study if you're at a higher risk of feeling sick or vomiting after your operation. Doctors work this out using a special score. This score looks at things like if you are female, if you don't smoke, if you've had sickness after previous operations or get motion sickness easily, and if you're expected to need strong pain relief after surgery.
However, you can't join if you've refused to take part, can't give your consent, or have a known allergy to aprepitant or similar medicines. Also, if you're taking any other medicines that might react badly with aprepitant, you wouldn't be able to participate.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Are you having an operation where you go home the same day?
- Do you have a higher chance of feeling sick after surgery (e.g., female, non-smoker, history of sickness)?
- Are you able to provide your consent to take part?
- Do you have any known allergies to aprepitant or similar medicines?
- Are you taking any medicines that might react badly with aprepitant?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you'll either receive the study medicine (aprepitant 40mg) or a dummy medicine (placebo) alongside the standard treatments to prevent sickness after surgery. You won't know which one you're getting, and neither will your doctors. The main part of the study involves monitoring how you feel for 48 hours after your surgery, particularly whether you experience any sickness or vomiting, or need any extra anti-sickness medicines. You will be asked about your symptoms and recovery during this time. The total duration of your active involvement in the study will be for these 48 hours after your surgery.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)Verified postcodeMontreal, Canada· Recruiting
Common questions
What is 'postoperative nausea and vomiting'?
It's the medical term for feeling sick or throwing up after having an operation.
What is aprepitant?
Aprepitant is a medicine already used to help prevent nausea and vomiting, for example, after chemotherapy.
Why are only 'high-risk' patients included?
This study focuses on people who are more likely to experience sickness after surgery, to see if the medicine helps them most.
Will I know if I'm getting the real medicine or a dummy pill?
No, it's a 'blinded' study, meaning neither you nor your doctors will know which you receive until after the study is complete.
What if I feel sick even with the study medicine?
You'll still receive other anti-sickness and pain relief medicines as needed, following standard care. Your well-being is the priority.
How to find out more
Maxim Roy, MD, FRCPC
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
Community discussion
Powered by our forum at community.patient.info. Please be respectful — this is not medical advice.