Aprepitant PO vs Ondansetron IV for Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) persists as one of the more common complications of surgery. Although rarely life-threatening, it is the postoperative outcome that is most unfavorable to patients, even more undesirable than pain. Orthognathic surgery corrects conditions of the jaws and face related to structure, growth, sleep apnea, bad bite, or congenital malformations. The bones of the face and jaws are cut and placed in a new position. There is a high rate of PONV in orthognathic surgery (56%). It is particularly challenging to the patient as their jaws are kept closed together with wires or elastic bands. Nausea in a patient with restricted mouth opening can be psychologically unnerving and puts them at risk for fluid in their lungs. Gan and colleagues showed a higher efficacy of aprepitant over ondansetron in preventing PONV and nausea severity after open abdominal surgery. From this study, the FDA approved the use of aprepitant for PONV prevention in patients \>18 years of age. Gan suggested further investigation in different populations. Our randomized, double-blind, prospective study will compare the efficacy of aprepitant PO versus ondansetron IV in a high risk setting for PONV: adolescents undergoing orthognathic surgery. Our study will involve 200 consecutive, adolescent patients (ages 15-25) who will undergo at least a Le Fort 1 osteotomy (upper jaw surgery) under general anesthesia and require hospital admission for at least one night. We will exclude patients who are currently taking medications that have interactions with aprepitant (pimozide, terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride), those who have a known vomiting disorder such as bulimia, and those who have vomited for any reason within 24 hours of surgery. The procedure will be performed by 5 surgeons and general anesthesia will be administered by 3 anesthesiologists at one institution. A study coordinator, who will not be involved in the treatment, will create the randomization schedule in