ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of acupuncture on neuromuscular block of vecuronium and analgesia under general anesthesia.MethodsNinety ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 29-80 yr,weighing 50-80kg,scheduled for laparoscopic chotecystectomy,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =30 each):acupuncture at acupoints combined with general anesthesia group (group A),acupuncture at non-acupoints combined with general anesthesia group (group B) and general anesthesia group (group C).Bilateral Hegu (LI4),Neiguan (PC6),Zusanli (ST36),yanglingquan (GB34),and Quchi (LI11) acupoints were selected in group A.In group B,the points adopted were the midpoints between the meridians in which the acupoints were selected in group A and the adjacent meridians on the lateral side,at the level of selected meridian points correspondingly.Electric stimulation was started from 15-30 min before anesthesia induction and continued until the end of operation.Anesthesia was induced with iv injection of fentanyl,propofol and vecuronium and maintained with intermittent iv boluses of fentanyl and vecuronium.All the patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia after operation.The effect time,onset time,clinical duration and recovery index of vecuronium,consumption of anesthetics during operation,and consumption of fentanyl for postoperative analgesia and postoperative adverse reactions were recorded.Results Compared with group C,the elinical duration was significantly prolonged,the consumption of anesthetics during operation and consumption of fentanyl for postoperative analgesia were significantly reduced,and the incidence of nausea was significantly decreased ( P ＜ 0.05 ),while no significant changed was found in the effect time,onset time,and recovery index in group A ( P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group B,the amount of fentanyl consumed during and after operation was significantly reduced in group A ( P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionAcupuncture can prolong the clinical duration of vecuronium,and enhance the analgesic efficacy during and after operation under general anesthesia.