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Identifying Patients at Risk
Apfel Simplified Risk Score for PONV. Risk factors are:
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Female Sex
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History of PONV or Motion Sickness
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Non-smoker
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Use of Postoperative Opioids
Number of Apfel risk factors & risk of PONV:
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0 = 10%
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1 = 20%
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2 = 40%
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3 = 60%
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4 = 80%
Other known risk factors:
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Younger age <50
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General anesthesia
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Use of volatile anesthetics and nitrous oxide
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Duration of anesthesia
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Type of surgery (cholecystectomy, laparoscopic, gynecological)
Risk categories based on number of risk factors:
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Low: 0-1
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Medium: 2-3
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High: 4 or more
Adapted from Anesth Analg. August 2020 - Volume 131 - Issue 2 - p 411-448
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