Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is usually defined as any nausea, retching, or vomiting

occurring within the first 24–48 hours of surgery. PONV can be extremely distressing to patients
and is one of the most common causes of patient dissatisfaction and discomfort after anesthesia.
(Choi, S.U. (2016) Is Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Still the Big. Korean Journal of
Anesthesiology , 69, 1-2.)

PONV represents one of “the most common and distressing problems facing patients after surgery”
and it “causes extreme patient discomfort, prolonged recovery, a decrease in satisfaction with
surgery, an increase in the length of stay in the recovery room, and unexpected hospital admission
after day surgery and healthcare costs.” [Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Practical Guide
Gan TJ, Habib AS. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2016, 202 pages,
$69.99 (USD), ISBN: 9781107465190]

The general incidence of vomiting is about 30%, the incidence of nausea is about 50%, and in a
subset of high-risk patients, the PONV rate can be as high as 80%. (Gan TJ, Diemunsch P, Habib AS,
et. al., (2014), Consensus guidelines for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Anesth Analg. 2014 Jan;118(1):85-113)

1. (Choi, S.U. (2016) Is Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Still the Big. Korean Journal of
Anesthesiology , 69, 1-2.)
2. [Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Practical Guide Gan TJ, Habib AS. Cambridge,
United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2016, 202 pages, ISBN: 9781107465190]
3. (Chang, C.C., Wong, C. S. (2016) Postoperative nausea and vomitting free for all: A solution
from Propofol?. Acta Anaesthesiologica Taiwanica, 54, 106-107.)