Electro-acupuncture and postoperative emesis.

Abstract

One hundred unpremedicated female patients of ASA grade 1 or 2 who underwent laparoscopy as outpatients were allocated randomly to one of four groups. All patients received general anaesthesia with fentanyl, thiopentone, halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen; suxamethonium was given to facilitate tracheal intubation. In the recovery room, group 1 (control) received no treatment; group 2 received electro-acupuncture at the P6 point (Neiguan) on the right side for 15 minutes, group 3 received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation at the P6 point on the right side for 15 minutes and group 4 received prochlorperazine 5 mg intravenously. Any act of vomiting, including dry retching, during the first 3 postoperative hours was regarded as postoperative emesis. The incidence of postoperative emesis was 11/25 (44%) in group 1, 3/25 (12%, p less than 0.05) in group 2, 9/25 (36%) in group 3, and 3/25 (12%, p less than 0.05) in group 4. Our results suggest that electro-acupuncture is as effective as prochlorperazine, and may be better than transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, in reducing postoperative emesis.

• Authors: R T Ho, B Jawan, S T Fung, H K Cheung, J H Lee
• Journal: Anaesthesia (Anaesthesia) Vol. 45 Issue 4 Pg. 327-9 (Apr 1990) ISSN: 0003-2409 [Print] England
• PMID: 2140030 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Prochlorperazine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anesthesia, General
• Electroacupuncture
• Female
• Humans
• Laparoscopy
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications (prevention & control)
• Prochlorperazine (therapeutic use)
• Random Allocation
• Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
• Vomiting (prevention & control)