The role of 5-HT3A receptors in nociceptive processing has been demonstrated in several
animal models. However, studies in human volunteers have not been reported except for one
recent study suggesting that ondansetron could alleviate propofol-induced nociception.
Previous studies demonstrated that patients anaesthetized with sevoflurane have more pain
than those anaesthetized with propofol. And we further posit that the difference is due to
the nociceptive processing induced by the action of 5-HT3A receptors.
In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we assessed the
analgesic action of a 5-HT3A receptor antagonist (tropisetron) in women after gynaecological
laparoscopy under general anaesthesia maintained with either sevoflurane or propofol.