OBJECTIVETo compare the effects for tooth extraction between acupuncture anesthesia and drug local block anesthesia.

METHODSSixty patients were randomly assigned into an acupuncture group and a drug group, 30 cases in each one. Acupuncture was applied at Hegu (LI 4), Neiting (ST 44) and the affected side Xiaguan (ST 7), and Jiache (ST 6), etc. Arrachement was used afterand the needles were retained for 10 min after tooth extraction in the acupuncture group. Compound articaine hydrochloride injection was used to conventional local anesthesia, after which tooth extraction was implemented in the drug group. The effects of anesthesia and analgesia were compared between the two groups with pain rating index (PRI) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Besides, the bleeding amounts and adverse reaction rates during the operation and the blood pressure, pulse, and respiration before and after operation were observed.

RESULTSTooth extraction was completed, and the excellent rates, PRI and VAS scores were not significantly different in the two groups (all>0.05). The bleeding amounts and adverse reaction rates in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the drug group (<0.01,<0.05).The blood pressure, pulse and respiratory during surgery remained normal without significance between the two groups (all>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe effect of acupuncture anesthesia for tooth extraction is equal to that of drug anesthesia. Its analgesia is complete with stable vital signs and less adverse reactions. It is worthy of popularizing.