This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the influence of somatic symptom load and anxiety sensitivity as risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Physiological and psychological variables are assessed in female patients with an increased risk for PONV prior to a planned surgical intervention with a 33-item questionnaire composed of the ASI-3 and the PHQ-15. Postoperative evaluation includes the occurrence of nausea and vomiting in the first 24 hours after surgery. It is hypothesized that patients with high sum scores for somatic symptom load (measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-15) and with increased levels for anxiety sensitivity (measured with the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, ASI-3) experience more frequently postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) than patients with low scores in both self-rating instruments.

Inclusion Criteria:

• female patients 18-75 years
• non-smokers
• must be able to give written informed consent
• planned surgical intervention requiring hospitalisation
• not included in another clinical trial

Exclusion Criteria:

• emergency intervention
• total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol
• disability to give written informed consent
• physical or psychic disorders requiring permanent psycho-social care
• no German language skills

Female patients in a universitary hospital who are scheduled for elective surgery in general anesthesia (planned interventions in general surgery, orthopedia, traumatology, gynecology, neurosurgery (except intracranial interventions)and who present with an increased risk to experience postoperative nausea and vomiting.