Comparison of the Effects of Intravenous or Subcutaneous Administration of Metoclopramide on Pain and Nausea after Lower Abdominal Surgery

Pain and nausea after surgery under general anesthesia are common complications, that if not controlled, can lead to increased postoperative complications. </em>The aim of this study was to compare the effects of intravenous and subcutaneous injection of metoclopramide on pain and nausea after lower abdominal surgery.

This study was performed as a double-blind randomized clinical trial on 75 patients aged 18 to 65 years, class 1 and 2 in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scale, candidates for elective lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into three groups of 25 patients receiving 0.15 mg/kg metoclopramide intravenously (group 1), subcutaneously (group 2), and normal saline (control, group 3). Intensity of pain and nausea, patient satisfaction, hemodynamic parameters, drug side effects, and rescue analgesic and antiemetic use were compared in three groups.

</em>Intensity of the pain and nausea were significantly lower in the intravenous group than in the placebo and subcutaneous groups. Moreover, patients' satisfaction in the intravenous and subcutaneous groups were significantly higher than the placebo group. The mean arterial blood pressure and abdominal cramps were significantly lower in the intravenous group than in the other two groups; but flushing frequency in the intravenous group was significantly higher than the two other groups.Conclusion: Intravenous injection of metoclopramide had better effects in controlling pain and nausea in comparison with subcutaneous injection and placebo in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery.