Authors: Owusu-Agyemang, Pascal et al.
Anesthesia & Analgesia 141(2): 276-285, August 2025. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000007135
This retrospective study analyzed over 60,000 adult patients undergoing cancer-related surgeries to evaluate whether race or ethnicity influenced perioperative antiemetic administration. Researchers assessed prescribing patterns across three stages: preoperative, intraoperative, and recovery.
The results demonstrated consistent disparities. White patients were more likely than Black patients to receive antiemetics in the preoperative area. Intraoperatively, Hispanic/Latino patients and those identifying as “other” racial or ethnic groups had significantly higher odds of receiving antiemetics than Black patients. In the recovery room, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, and White patients were again more likely to receive these medications compared with Black patients.
Overall, the study highlights that Black patients were less likely to receive antiemetics at every stage, pointing to systemic disparities in perioperative care and the need for standardized protocols to ensure equitable treatment.
KEY POINTS
- Question: Is there an association between a patient’s race or ethnicity and the receipt of an antiemetic agent preoperatively, during surgery, or in the recovery room?
- Findings: In this retrospective study of 60,595 adults who had undergone cancer-related operating room procedures under anesthesia, patient race or ethnicity was associated with antiemetic administration in the preoperative holding area, in the operating room, and in the recovery room.
- Meaning: The findings of this study suggest an association between a patient’s race or ethnicity and the administration of antiemetic agents in the immediate preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods.
Thank you to Anesthesia & Analgesia for publishing this important work on perioperative disparities.