Wearing Headphones During Surgery May Reduce Nausea and Vomiting

A new randomized clinical trial presented at the Anesthesiology 2026 annual meeting reveals that patients who wore noise-canceling headphones during minimally invasive gynecological surgery experienced significantly lower rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Postoperative nausea and vomiting affects approximately 30% of surgical patients and can complicate recovery, increase hospital stays, and reduce patient satisfaction. This simple, non-pharmacological intervention using headphones offers a promising low-cost strategy to enhance patient comfort during the recovery period. The findings suggest that noise reduction or audio intervention during surgery may influence anesthesia outcomes and patient wellbeing.