Intractable Nausea and Vomiting

Case Synopsis

A 28-year-old, 110-kg woman presents with intractable nausea and vomiting in the postanesthesia care unit after undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. The anesthesia was unremarkable except for preoperative anxiety and moderate postoperative upper airway obstruction, which was easily corrected by insertion of an oral airway. Past medical history was significant for unanticipated hospital admission for postoperative nausea and vomiting after previous inguinal hernia repair.