Obesity has become one of the leading epidemic diseases in the world. Obesity is acknowledged as a risk factor for postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting (PONV), especially in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures.
Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between gender, age, BMI values and the severity of postoperative pain and PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Materials and methods: The study enrolled 244 patients with cholelithiasis who underwent scheduled laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were assigned to 3 groups according to BMI values. Patients were assessed for the presence of PONV and severity of pain in the 6(th) and 24(th) hour after surgery.
Results: BPONV was reported more frequently in female than in male patients in the 1(st) time period. In the first time point the postoperative pain was significantly higher in group O in comparison to group H and N. Postoperative pain significantly decreased in the 24(th) postoperative hour in comparison to its level assessed in the 6th postoperative hour in all three groups.
Conclusions: Female gender is a risk factor of PONV, so women should receive antiemetic prophylactic. There is a positive relationship between BMI and postoperative pain, so obese patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures should receive prophylactic application of analgesic drugs.
Keywords: PONV; cholecystectomy; laparoscopy; obesity; pain.
© 2015 MEDPRESS.