Postoperative nausea and vomiting
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication following surgery. It is often referred to as postoperative sickness or surgical sickness.
Pronunciation
- Postoperative: /ˌpoʊstˈɒpərətɪv/
- Nausea: /ˈnɔːziə/
- Vomiting: /ˈvɒmɪtɪŋ/
Etymology
- Postoperative: Derived from the Latin word "post" meaning "after" and "operativus" meaning "to work".
- Nausea: Derived from the Greek word "nausia" meaning "seasickness".
- Vomiting: Derived from the Latin word "vomitus" meaning "to discharge".
Definition
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a condition that affects patients after surgery. It is characterized by a feeling of sickness and the urge to vomit following a surgical procedure.
Related Terms
- Anesthesia: A state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness induced for medical purposes.
- Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or injury.
- Nausea: A feeling of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit.
- Vomiting: The forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying of stomach contents through the mouth.
Causes
PONV is typically caused by a combination of factors, including the type of surgery, the type of anesthesia used, and individual patient characteristics such as age, gender, and history of motion sickness or previous PONV.
Treatment
Treatment for PONV often involves medications to control nausea and vomiting, such as antiemetics. Other strategies may include adjusting the type of anesthesia used, hydration, and acupuncture.
See Also
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