The Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Ginger Compared to Dexamethasone in Preventing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common issue associated with laparoscopic procedures, prompting the exploration of various prevention methods. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Ginger capsules compared to Dexamethasone in preventing PONV following laparoscopic nephrectomy. Methods: A total of 131 patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy were randomly assigned to receive either Ginger or Dexamethasone 30 minutes before anesthesia. Vomiting frequency in the recovery room and within the initial 24 hours post-surgery was recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: In the recovery room (within the first 6 hours post-surgery), vomiting occurred in 37% of patients in the Dexamethasone group and 11% in the Ginger group (P = 0.001). Similarly, within the first 24 hours post-operation, vomiting frequency was significantly lower in the Ginger group (19.7% vs. 47%: P = 0.001). Additionally, fewer patients in the Ginger group required intravenous medications like Ondansetron or Metoclopramide within the initial 24 hours post-surgery compared to the Dexamethasone group (8.2% vs. 38%, respectively; P = 0.001). Patients self-reported post-surgical pain and discomfort using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) showed no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.45). No adverse effects were observed in either the Ginger or Dexamethasone groups. Conclusions: Ginger, administered in 500 mg oral capsules, is a safe and cost-effective option for reducing PONV incidence following laparoscopic nephrectomy.