OBJECTIVETo evaluate the adjuvant effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in propofol-fentanyl anesthesia in partial mastectomy.

METHODSNinety patients undergoing partial mastectomy were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=30), namely group A with propofol-fentanyl anesthesia (PFVA), group B with PFVA and TEAS at Hegu-Laogong and Neiguan-WaiGuan acupoints, and group C with PFVA and TEAS at Hegu-Laogong, Neiguan-Waiguan, and bilateral Jianjing acupoints. The bispectral index (BIS), heart rate (HR), saturation of pulse oxygen (SpO2), blood pressure (BP), the reaction of patients to the incision and awakening quality were observed at different time points. Blood samples were obtained from the dorsal artery of the foot to determine the levels of adrenaline and beta-endorphin using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before TEAS (entry into the OR in group A) and at 30 min after TEAS (30 min after entry into the OR in group A), 5 min after incision, end of the surgery and awakening.

RESULTSThirty minutes after TEAS (or 30 min after entry into the OR in group A), BIS, BP and HR were all decreased significantly in groups B and C (P<0.05) but remained stable in group A (P>0.05). The plasma propofol concentration of groups B and C were significantly lower than that in group A, and group B had the highest plasma propofol concentration (P<0.05). The total dose of propofol in groups B and C were decreased by 19% and 27% in comparison with that in group A, respectively. Compared with the basal value, the content of beta-endorphin in groups B and C increased obviously 30 min after TEAS, being the highest in group C (P<0.05); the adrenaline level in groups B and C remained stable after TEAS (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONTEAS provides an adjuvant effect in propofol-fentanyl anesthesia and obviously enhances the analgesia effect.