Evaluation of Oral Ginger Efficacy against Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Randomized, Double – Blinded Clinical Trial

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting is one of the most common side effects associated with surgical procedures.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ginger on intensity of nausea and vomiting after surgical procedures.

Patients and methods: This study was a randomized, double blinded, clinical trial. 160 eligible patients were randomly assigned into experimental or placebo groups. The experimental group received 4 capsules containing 250 mg ginger and placebo group received 4 placebo capsules 1 hour before surgery. The severity of nausea and vomiting was measured at 2, 4, 6 hours post operation using visual analogue scale and a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed by independent t – test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi -square and GEE using SPSS 16 and STATA version 11.

Results: Mean nausea score at 2 hours post operation was significantly lower in the experimental group (P= 0.04). Mean nausea score at 4 and 6 hours post operation was lower in the experimental group; however, there was no significant difference between the groups at any time post operation. The frequencies of nausea in the experimental group at 2 and 6 hours post operation were lower than that in the placebo group, however, at 2 hours post operation, it was borderline significant (P = 0.05) There was no significant differences between two group in the intensity of vomiting at any time.

Conclusions: Use of ginger was effective at decreasing postoperative nausea. Ginger could be used as a safe antiemetic drug at post operation.