Risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting after the removal of impacted third molars: a cross-sectional study

Background A better understanding of the risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) could improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for PONV and its onset after third molar impaction surgery, and to demonstrate the importance of controlling anesthesia-related factors regardless of patient-specific factors. Methods We included patients who reported nausea and vomiting within 12 h of extubation. Patients with incomplete data, those who could not communicate, and those with gastrointestinal disorders were excluded. We evaluated patient-specific risk factors, and the use of volatile anesthetics and intraoperative fentanyl anesthetic-related factors. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed taking patient background factors into account. Results In total, 182 patients who underwent disimpaction of the third molar under general anesthesia between January 2017 and December 2018 at Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital, were included. Approximately 12.6% (n = 23) patients experienced PONV, with no significant difference in terms of sex, smoking status, age, and body mass index compared to patients without PONV. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed no interaction between fentanyl and volatile anesthetics. The major risk factor for PONV was the use of volatile anesthetics. Patients in whom anesthesia was maintained by volatile anesthetics were 13.35 times more likely to have PONV than those in whom total intravenous anesthesia was induced (P < 0.001). Conclusion Maintenance of anesthesia with volatile anesthetics is a risk factor for PONV.