OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy on chronic pelvic inflammation between the acupoint embedding therapy and acupuncture, and to compare the efficacy of different patterns/syndroms in differentiation treated with acupoint embedding therapy.

METHODSTwo hundred and eighteen cases were randomized into an embedding therapy group (115 cases) and an acupuncture group (103 cases). In both groups, Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Qihai (CV 6) were selected as the main points. For qi and blood stagnation pattern/syndrome, Zhongdu (LR 6), Diji (SP 8) and the others were added; for cold and damp stagnation pattern/syndrome, Diji (SP 8) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were added; for stasis and phlegm pattern/syndrome due to spleen deficiency, Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) were added. In the embedding therapy group, the catgut was embedded at 7 - 13 acupoints each time, once every 10 days. In the acupuncture group, the conventional acupuncture therapy was applied, once a day. The symptom scores were assessed in the aspects of the lower abdominal pain severity and attack frequency, lumbosacral soreness and distention, abnormality of vaginal discharge and the others. The efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.0% (107/115) in the embedding therapy group, which was better than 83.5% (86/103) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The symptom scores were all reduced after treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.05). In the embedding therapy group, the efficacies were not significantly different among different patterns/syndromes (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint embedding therapy achieves the definite efficacy on chronic pelvic inflammation and obtains the similar efficacies among the different differentiated patterns/syndromes of the disease.