BACKGROUND: We compared the antiemetic efficacy of droperidol, granisetron, and propofol in postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the patients who received epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine and morphine. METHODS: Among one hundred and sixty one ASA physical status I or II patients who received an abdominal hysterectomy under epidural anesthesia, sixty patients who showed PONV and thereby received antiemetics were randomly assigned into 3 groups: droperidol 0.75 mg (droperidol group: n = 20), granisetron 1.0 mg (granisetron group: n = 20) or propofol 20 mg (propofol group: n = 20) by an intravenous injection. Antiemetics were injected according to the patient request up to 3 times of initial dose. Nausea, vomiting, sedation, anxiety, and discomfort were assessed and the time interval between each antiemetic administration was recorded by a blind observer for 30 min after the injection of antiemetics. RESULTS: Success rates in PONV control for 30 min after the 1st antiemetic administration were 90%, 95%, and 85% in the droperidol, granisetron, and propofol group, respectively. The propofol group experienced a higher relapse incidence (90%) than other groups (droperidol: 35%, granisetron: 25%)(P<0.05). The granisetron group showed a longer time interval between the 1st and 2nd antiemetic administration (616 +/- 501 min: P<0.05) than other groups. No patients in the granisetron and propofol groups showed any anxiety and discomfort, however six patients in the droperidol group showed some anxiety and discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: All antiemetics were effective to control the PONV, but droperidol caused some anxiety and discomfort and propofol showed higher relapse incidence.