Jelly snakes to reduce early postoperative vomiting in children after adenotonsillectomy: The randomized controlled snakes trial

Despite the use of dual antiemetic agents, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurs in an unacceptably large number of patients post-tonsillectomy. There has been increased interest in alternative and non-pharmacological treatments for PONV e.g., chewing gum. We investigated if chewing a large confectionary jelly snake had prophylactic antiemetic effects postoperatively in young children.

Citation:
Sommerfield D, Sommerfield A, Evans D, Khan RN, Luke A, Vijayasekaran S, Bumbak P, Herbert H, von Ungern-Sternberg BS. Jelly snakes to reduce early postoperative vomiting in children after adenotonsillectomy: The randomized controlled snakes trial. Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain Medicine. 2024;43(1):101334.

Keywords:
Tonsillectomy; Pediatric; Anti-emetic; Post-operative; Vomiting; Chewing

Abstract:
Despite the use of dual antiemetic agents, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurs in an unacceptably large number of patients post-tonsillectomy. There has been increased interest in alternative and non-pharmacological treatments for PONV e.g., chewing gum. We investigated if chewing a large confectionary jelly snake had prophylactic antiemetic effects postoperatively in young children.