OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of preoperative Japanese acupuncture for prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in non-sedated children for surgery under general anesthesia.

METHODS: This is an RCT studying the effectiveness of press-tack Japanese needles in P6 prior to any sedatives in children age 5-18 years old for surgery under general anesthesia (n=66). Patients were randomized to receive either press-tack needle (n=33) or an identical press-tack without the metal component (n=33). Incidence of PONV was reported using BARF scale. Children, parents, anesthesiologists, and nurses were blinded to group assignment.

RESULTS: Eight of 33 (22%) in the intervention group while 17 of 33 (51.52%) in the placebo group experienced PONV (RR = 0.47, 95% CI [0.24-0.94], p-value 0.0224). One case reported an adverse event of worsening of nausea and vomiting.

CONCLUSIONS: Japanese acupuncture at P6 prior to sedation using press-tack needle significantly reduced the incidence of PONV in children after general anesthesia. KEYWORDS: PONV, POV, P6, PC6, Japanese acupuncture, Acupuncture, RCT

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent (a Person 13-18 Years Of Age) ; Pre-adolescent (a Child 6-12 Years Of Age) ; Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting ; Vomiting, Postoperative ; Pericardium ; Acupuncture