Abstract Background: We tested the hypothesis that, within the margin of 15% of risk difference, palonosetron is not inferior to ondansetron in reducing the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: We conducted a double-blind, non-inferiority, randomized, controlled trial of 212 patients aged 18 to 65 years undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia in two secondary care hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either palonosetron (0.075 mg) or ondansetron (8 mg) intravenously at induction of anesthesia. Ondansetron (8 mg) was also administered 8 and 16 hours postoperatively. All anesthetic and surgical procedures were standardized. Patients were evaluated for 24 hours postoperatively for the occurrence of PONV. Results: A high incidence of PONV was observed at 2–6 hours postoperatively, with a rate of 36.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 28.2-46.3) in the palonosetron group, as compared to 43.4% (95% CI 34.4–52.9) in the ondansetron group. The risk difference (95% CI) between palonosetron and ondansetron for PONV was 0 (-10.9 to 10.9) at 0–2 hours, -6.6 (-19.4 to 6.5) at 2–6 hours, -0.9 (-11.0 to 9.2) at 6–12 hours, and -2.8 (-9.6 to 3.6) at 12–24 hours. There was no statistically significant difference between the palonosetron and ondansetron groups in the use of rescue medication (dimenhydrinate). There were no adverse events associated with the medications under study. Conclusion: Palonosetron is not inferior to ondansetron in patients at risk of PONV undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, providing a good option for PONV prophylaxis, as it can be administered in a single dose. Background that 15 (PONV Methods doubleblind, doubleblind double blind, blind double-blind noninferiority, noninferiority non inferiority, inferiority non-inferiority randomized 21 1 6 hospitals 0.075 0075 075 (0.07 mg ( standardized 2 Results 26 2– 368 36 36.8 95% 95 (95 [CI 28.246.3 282463 28.2 46.3 28 46 3 28.2-46.3 group 434 43 4 43.4 34.4–52.9 344529 34 52 9 10.9 109 10 (-10. 02 0– 6.6 66 -6. 19.4 194 19 (-19. 6.5 5 0.9 09 -0. 11.0 110 11 (-11. 9.2 92 612 12 6–1 2.8 -2. 9.6 96 (-9. 3.6 1224 12–2 dimenhydrinate. dimenhydrinate . (dimenhydrinate) study Conclusion prophylaxis dose 0.07 007 07 (0.0 36. (9 246 28.246. 28246 282 28. 463 46. 28.2-46. 43. 34.4–52. 34452 10. (-10 6. -6 19. (-19 0. -0 11. (-11 9. 61 6– 2. -2 (-9 3. 122 12– (dimenhydrinate 0.0 00 (0. 28.246 2824 28.2-46 34.4–52 3445 (-1 - (- (0 28.24 28.2-4 34.4–5 344 28.2- 34.4– 34.4 34.

Abstract Introduction Inhaled anesthetics are used worldwide for anesthesia maintenance both in human and veterinary operating rooms. High concentrations of waste anesthetic gases can lead to health risks for the professionals exposed. Considering that anesthetic pollution in a veterinary surgical center in developing countries is unknown, this study aimed, for the first time, to measure the residual concentration of isoflurane in the air of operating rooms for small animals in a Brazilian university hospital. Method Residual isoflurane concentrations were measured by an infrared analyzer at the following sites: corner opposite to anesthesia machine; breathing zones of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and patient (animal); and in front of the anesthesia machine at three time points, that is, 5, 30 and 120 minutes after anesthesia induction. Results Mean residual isoflurane concentrations gradually increased in the corner opposite to anesthesia machine and in the breathing zones of the surgeon and the anesthesiologist (p < 0.05). There was an increase at 30 minutes and 120 minutes when compared to the initial time points in the animal's breathing zone, and in the front of the anesthesia machine (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference at measurement sites regardless of the moment of assessment. Conclusion This study reported high residual isoflurane concentrations in veterinary operating rooms without an exhaust system, which exceeds the limit recommended by an international agency. Based on our findings, there is urgent need to implement exhaust systems to reduce anesthetic pollution and decrease occupational exposure.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos Os Resíduos de Gases Anestésicos (RGA) presentes no ar ambiente das Salas de Operação (SO) são associados a riscos ocupacionais diversos. O presente artigo propõe-se a discorrer sobre exposição ocupacional aos RGA e seu impacto em profissionais expostos, com ênfase em danos genéticos e estresse oxidativo. Conteúdo Apesar do surgimento de anestésicos inalatórios mais seguros, a exposição ocupacional aos RGA ainda é preocupação atual. Fatores relacionados às técnicas anestésicas e estação de anestesia, além da ausência de sistema de exaustão de gases em SO, contribuem para poluição anestésica. Para minimizar os riscos à saúde em profissionais expostos, recomendam-se limites máximos de exposição. Entretanto, em países em desenvolvimento, ainda carece a mensuração de RGA e de regulamentação frente à exposição ocupacional aos RGA. Os RGA são capazes de induzir danos no material genético, como danos no DNA avaliados pelo teste do cometa e aumento na frequência de micronúcleos em profissionais com exposição prolongada. O estresse oxidativo também é associado à exposição aos RGA por induzir lipoperoxidação, danos oxidativos no DNA e comprometimento do sistema antioxidante em profissionais expostos. Conclusões Por tratar-se de questão de saúde pública, é imprescindível reconhecer os riscos ocupacionais relacionados aos RGA, inclusive genotoxicidade, mutagenicidade e estresse oxidativo. Urge a necessidade de mensuração dos RGA para conhecimento desses valores nas SO, especialmente em países em desenvolvimento, de normatização das concentrações máximas seguras de RGA nas SO, além de se adotarem práticas de educação com conscientização dos profissionais expostos.

Abstract Background and objectives The waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) present in the ambient air of operating rooms (OR), are associated with various occupational hazards. This paper intends to discuss occupational exposure to WAGs and its impact on exposed professionals, with emphasis on genetic damage and oxidative stress. Content Despite the emergence of safer inhaled anesthetics, occupational exposure to WAGs remains a current concern. Factors related to anesthetic techniques and anesthesia workstations, in addition to the absence of a scavenging system in the OR, contribute to anesthetic pollution. In order to minimize the health risks of exposed professionals, several countries have recommended legislation with maximum exposure limits. However, developing countries still require measurement of WAGs and regulation for occupational exposure to WAGs. WAGs are capable of inducing damage to the genetic material, such as DNA damage assessed using the comet assay and increased frequency of micronucleus in professionals with long-term exposure. Oxidative stress is also associated with WAGs exposure, as it induces lipid peroxidation, oxidative damage in DNA, and impairment of the antioxidant defense system in exposed professionals. Conclusions The occupational hazards related to WAGs including genotoxicity, mutagenicity and oxidative stress, stand as a public health issue and must be acknowledged by exposed personnel and responsible authorities, especially in developing countries. Thus, it is urgent to stablish maximum safe limits of concentration of WAGs in ORs and educational practices and protocols for exposed professionals.