OBJECTIVETo explore the effectiveness and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with infusion of propofol in anodynia bronchoscopy.

METHODSNinety patients who received selective bronchoscopy were randomized into a group of compound TEAS with infusion of propofol (group A), a group of compound fentanyl with propofol (group B) and a group of simple propofol (group C). In group A, the plaster electrode stimulation was applied at bilateral Hegu (LI 4), Laogong (PC 8), Neiguan (PC 6) and Waiguan (TE 5). The anesthesia was induced after 20 min of stimulation till the end of examination. In group B and group C, the electric stimulation was not adopted. In group B, before anesthesia, fentanyl 1 microg/kg was injected intravenously. Afterwards, the intravenous infusion of propofol was used in the the three groups for anesthesia. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), saturation of pulse oximetry (SpO2) and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded at different time points. The induced dosage and total dosage of propofol, examination time, the awakening time and adverse reactions were observed in the patients of each group.

RESULTSThe difference in examination time was not significant among the three groups (P > 0.05). The postoperative awakening time in group A was earlier than that in group B and group C [(220.3 +/- 110.5) s vs (285.6 +/- 109.4) s, (290.1 +/- 105.1) s, both P < 0.05]. The total dosage of propofol in group C was larger than those in group A and group B [(288.5 +/- 26.7) mg vs (225.1 +/- 30.2) mg, (230.4 +/- 29.3) mg, both P < 0.05]. The induced dosage in group C was larger than those in group A and group B [(193.7 +/- 42.3) mg vs (152.3 +/- 36.1) mg, (155.4 +/- 40.5) mg, both P < 0.05]. Every life physical sign in group A during examination was more stable as compared with that in group B and group C. The incidence of hypotension and bradycardia in group A were lower than those in group C [3.3% (1/30) vs 26.7% (8/30), 0% (0/30) vs 20.0% (6/30), both P < 0.05]. The adverse incidence of oxygen supply in group A was lower than that in group B [6.7% (2/30) vs 33.3% (10/30), P < 0.05]. Intraoperative awareness and improper memory did not happen in postoperative investigation.

CONCLUSIONIn the transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with infusion of propofol in anodynia bronchoscopy, the physical sign of patient is stable with less adverse reactions. This method reduces anesthetic dosage and shortens the postoperative awakening time, which can be effectively applied in bronchoscopy.