OBJECTIVETo explore the impacts on EC50 in the remifentanil inhibition of tracheal intubation response by the transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6).

METHODSForty patients with selective surgery undergoing endotracheal intubation with intravenous general anesthesia were divided into I to II degree by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 20 cases in each one. Before general anesthesia induction, in the observation group, the transcutaneous electric stimulation was applied to bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6) for 30 min, with dense-disperse wave, 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency; in the control group, the sham-stimulation was applied to the acupoints, with the lamp on, but without electric current output. Afterwards, the general anesthesia induction started. When the target concentration of propofol and remifentanil was stabilized at the preset value, the endotracheal intubation was conducted. Dixon sequential method was applied for the determination of ECs in remifentanil inhibition of tracheal intubation response.

RESULTSThe level of EC50 in remifentanil inhibition of tracheal intubation response was 3. 46 ng/mL, 95% confidence interval was 2. 80 ng/ml to 4. 27ng/mL in the observation group; those were 4. 18 ng/mL and 3. 30 ng/mL to 5. 29 ng/mL in the control group separately. The differences were significant in comparison of the two groups (P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONTEAS apparently reduces EChe in the remifentanil inhibition of tracheal intubation response by around 17%as.