The Efficacy of Ginger in Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting after Major Gynecologic Surgery
Tongta Nanthakomon MD*, Densak Pongrojpaw MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gyecology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University
Objective : To study the efficacy of ginger in prevention of nausea and vomiting after major gynecologic
surgery.
Study
Design : Double blind randomized controlled trial.
Setting : Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thammasat University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine,
Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.
Materials and Methods : From March 2005 to April 2006, 120 patients who underwent major gynecologic
surgery were randomized into group A (n = 60) and group B (n = 60). The patients in group A received two
capsules of ginger taken one hour before the procedure (one capsule contains 0.5 gram of ginger powder).
The patients in group B received the placebo. The visual analog nausea score (VANS) and frequency of
vomiting were evaluated at 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after the operation.
Results : The results demonstrated the statistically significant differences in nausea between group A (48.3%)
and group B (66.7%). The VANS was lower in group A compared to group B at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours. The most
statistically significant differences occurred at 2 and 6 hour. The incidence and frequency of vomiting in group
A were lower than group B. Side effects caused by ginger were not detected.
Conclusion : Ginger has efficacy in prevention of nausea and vomiting after major gynecologic surgery.
Keywords : Major gynecologic surgery, Ginger, Nausea, Vomiting
