OBJECTIVETo probe the effect of previous analgesia of scalp acupuncture.

METHODSSixty cases of radical operation of intestinal cancer were randomly divided into 2 groups: a scalp acupuncture plus epidural analgesia (scalp acupuncture group) and an epidural analgesia group, 30 cases in each group. The scalp acupuncture group received scalp acupuncture from 20 min before operation to the end of the operation, and epidural analgesia at the end of the operation. The epidural analgesia group only received epidural analgesia at the end of the operation. Recovery of VAS scores, BCS scores and gastrointestinal function after operation were investigated to probe into effects of scalp acupuncture on epidural morphine analgesia after operation in the patient of intestinal cancer.

RESULTSThe VAS scores at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h in the scalp acupuncture group were lower than the epidural analgesia group, with significant differences at 6 h and 12 h between the two groups (P < 0.05). BCS scores at the 4 time points in the scalp acupuncture group were lower than the epidural analgesia group with significant differences between the two groups (all P < 0.05). The scalp acupuncture group in recovery of bowel sound, exsufflation from the anus in the scalp acupuncture group was faster than the epidural analgesia group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONScalp acupuncture has a certain previous analgesic effect, reducing discomfort of the patient after operation and promoting the recovery of gastrointestinal functions.