A Phase 4 interventional study of Palonosetron (Group P) and Granisetron (Group G) in Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting and Scoliosis, sponsored by University of Malaya. Completed at 2 sites in Malaysia. Open to participants aged 10 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-20.
Sponsored by University of Malaya · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment
The aim of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of two Serotonin (5- HT3) receptor antagonist, palonosetron and granisetron, administered along with dexamethasone as a preventive measure against early and delayed postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adult and adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) surgery under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA).
The main questions the study aims to answer are:
How effective is palonosetron compared to granisetron, when both combined with dexamethasone, in preventing PONV after scoliosis surgery? Are there any differences in the need for rescue antiemetics, occurrence of adverse effects related to the study drugs, and patient satisfaction between the two treatment groups? Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to receive either palonosetron or granisetron in addition to dexamethasone as part of their anesthesia and antiemetic regimen. The incidence and/ or severity of nausea, vomiting and retching will be assessed at 1 hour, 4 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after surgery.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remains a common adverse event after surgery and anaesthesia causing much dissatisfaction among patients. PONV incidence is reported at 30% in all surgical patients and up to 80% in high-risk patients. Idiopathic scoliosis is a common form of structural spinal deformities with a Cobb angle of >/ 10 degrees. It affects young females in the early pubertal stage more than young men by 1% and 4%.
Posterior spinal fusion (PSF) surgery is commonly performed in patients with severe scoliosis. It is a long complex surgery inflicting extensive surgical field requiring opioids as the mainstay of analgesia during the perioperative period. These targeted population are particularly adolescent female requiring intraoperative and postoperative opioids who are at high risk of developing PONV.
Dexamethasone and anti-serotonergic drugs like granisetron are commonly used antiemetics due to their efficacy and safety profiles. Dexamethasone is particularly favoured for its long duration of action and pain-reducing effects.
Palonosetron, a second-generation anti-serotonergic drug, has a unique pharmacokinetic profile with a prolonged duration of action. It may be more beneficial for patients on prolonged opioid-based analgesic regimens. However, its higher cost and inconsistent study findings limit its widespread use, especially in scoliosis patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery.
Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) is recommended for high-risk PONV patients, as it reduces the emetogenic effect of volatile anaesthetics. Propofol, used in TIVA, is itself an effective antiemetic. TIVA with propofol has been shown to be as effective as giving a single antiemetic and can further reduce the risk of PONV when combined with other prophylactic antiemetics.
The standard practice for managing PONV involves the administration of two antiemetics and considering TIVA for high-risk patients. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of palonosetron and ondansetron when administered alongside dexamethasone in scoliosis patients undergoing spinal fusion under TIVA. The study will also evaluate the number of rescue antiemetics needed, assess adverse effects, and measure patient satisfaction.
The study will be randomized and double-blinded, to be conducted in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). The sample size is calculated to be 92 participants, after taking into account a 20% dropout rate. Adult and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing PSF surgery will be eligible for the study. Written informed consent will be obtained from participants or their guardians, and assent will be obtained from adolescent participants. Patients will be randomized to receive either palonosetron or ondansetron along with dexamethasone.
The study will follow standard anaesthetic techniques, including TIVA with remifentanil and propofol. Intravenous injections of the study drugs or placebo will be given during surgery, and dexamethasone will be administered as a baseline antiemetic. Morphine will be administered before the end of surgery for pain management.
609 studies on the registry are indexed under Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting; 109 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 74 is below the median of 113 across 508 interventional studies indexed under Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting.
Browse Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting studies →University of Malaya is the lead sponsor of 280 studies on the registry; 55 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Group P will receive a stat dose of IV palonosetron 1.5mcg/kg diluted in a 5ml preparation of normal saline 0.9% prior to the commencement of general anaesthesia. At the start of wound closure, Group P will receive a 5ml preparation of normal saline 0.9% as a placebo.
Drug: Palonosetron (Group P)
Group G will receive a 5ml preparation of normal saline 0.9% as placebo prior to commencement of general anaesthesia. At the start of wound closure, a stat dose of IV granisetron 1mg in 5ml preparation will be administered.
Drug: Granisetron (Group G)
Group P will be receiving palonosetron 1.5mcg/kg before the commencement of general anaesthesia
Also known as: antiemetic
Group G participants will receive IV Granisetron 1mg at the start of wound closure
Also known as: antiemetic
Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) delayed postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adult and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients
To compare the effectiveness of palonosetron and granisetron when administered alongside dexamethasone as prophylaxis against early and delayed postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adult and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery under total intravenous anaesthesia.
Time frame: At 1 hour after surgery
Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
To compare the effectiveness of palonosetron and granisetron when administered alongside dexamethasone as prophylaxis against early and delayed postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adult and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery under total intravenous anaesthesia.
Time frame: At 4 hours after surgery
Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
To compare the effectiveness of palonosetron and granisetron when administered alongside dexamethasone as prophylaxis against early and delayed postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adult and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery under total intravenous anaesthesia.
Time frame: At 12 hours after surgery
Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
To compare the effectiveness of palonosetron and granisetron when administered alongside dexamethasone as prophylaxis against early and delayed postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adult and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery under total intravenous anaesthesia.
Time frame: At 24 hours after surgery
Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
To compare the effectiveness of palonosetron and granisetron when administered alongside dexamethasone as prophylaxis against early and delayed postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adult and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery under total intravenous anaesthesia.
Time frame: At 48 hours after surgery
To evaluate the need for rescue antiemetics among participants
Number of Participants Developing Postoperative Nausea Vomiting Requiring Rescue Antiemetic Within 48 hours After Surgery Any occurrence of severe nausea and retching with visual analogue scale score ≥4; and vomiting of 1 or more episodes will be treated with the rescue drug IV metoclopramide. For adolescent subjects (aged less than 18 years old), IV metoclopramide will be given at 0.2mg/kg, with a maximum dose of 10 mg intravenously up to 3 times per day. For adult patients (18 years old and above), IV metoclopramide 10mg will be given, up to 3 times per day. If there is any further occurrence of PONV within 8 hours of administration of IV metoclopramide, a second line of rescue antiemetic, IV Granisetron 1mg, will be administered to participants in both arms of the study. The administration of any rescue medications will be recorded and taken into account during data processing.
Time frame: At 1 hour, 4 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after surgery
To evaluate the adverse effects related to the study drugs.
Number of Participants Developing Adverse Effects Related to the Study Drugs.
Time frame: At 1 hour, 4 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after surgery
To assess the degree of participant's satisfaction.
Degree of patient satisfaction as represented on the Likert scale Selection of a number from a scale of 1 (least satisfied) to 5 (most satisfied)
Time frame: At 48 hours after surgery
Plan to share: No
This study is completed, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting→
University of Malaya