Clinical Observation on the Efficacy of Acupuncture at Four Gates and Other Acupoints for Postoperative Pain After Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair
10.13359/j.cnki.gzxbtcm.2025.10.021
- VernacularTitle:针刺四关等穴治疗腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术后疼痛的疗效观察
- Author:
Jingyu WANG
1
;
Cong LIAO
;
Zijing PENG
;
Ting WANG
;
Gongxiong YAO
;
Xueren AO
Author Information
1. 广州中医药大学,广东 广州 510006
- Keywords:
acupuncture;
Four Gates acupoints;
inguinal hernia;
laparoscopy;
postoperative pain;
clinical observation
- From:
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;42(10):2503-2509
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at Four Gates(bilateral LI4 and LR3)and other acupoints in treating postoperative pain after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and to explore its potential mechanism of action.Methods Sixty patients who underwent tension-free laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine between June 2024 and January 2025 and developed postoperative pain were enrolled.They were randomly divided into an observation group(n=30)and a control group(n=30)using a random number table.The control group received standard postoperative care,while the observation group received additional acupuncture at Four Gates and other acupoints(administered at 0 hour and 24 hours postoperatively).Clinical efficacy was assessed after 24 hours.Changes in the Numerical Rating Scale(NRS)for pain and the Bruggrmann Comfort Scale(BCS)were recorded.Serum levels of white blood cells(WBC),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and cortisol(COR)were compared before and after treatment.Safety and adverse reactions were also evaluated.Results(1)After 4 hours and 24 hours of treatment,the NRS scores in the observation group were significantly improved(P＜0.05).Additionally,the observation group showed a significantly greater improvement in NRS scores than the control group during the same period,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).(2)After 4 hours and 24 hours of treatment,the BCS scores of both groups of patients were significantly improved(P＜0.05).The observation group showed a significantly greater improvement in BCS scores than the control group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the levels of WBC,CRP,and ESR in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in COR levels between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,the WBC levels in the observation group were slightly lower than before treatment,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05),while the WBC levels in the control group were significantly higher than before treatment(P＜0.05).(4)The overall response rate in the observation group was 96.70％(29/30),while that in the control group was 56.77％(17/30).The efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,with a statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).(5)No significant adverse reactions occurred in either the observation group or the control group.There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at Four Gates and other acupoints significantly alleviates postoperative pain,enhances patient comfort,and demonstrates excellent clinical efficacy with high safety.The treatment modulates postoperative WBC,CRP,ESR,and COR levels,suggesting systemic anti-inflammatory and stress-regulatory effects.
