OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of acupuncture with Neiguan (PC6)-to-Waiguan (TE5) and esmolol on hemodynamics during anesthesia induction and postoperative nausea and vomiting. METHODS: A total of 100 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic hernia repair or gynecological surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (50 cases, 3 cases were eliminated) and an esmolol group (50 cases, 2 cases were eliminated). In the acupuncture group, before anesthesia induction, patients were applied to acupuncture with Neiguan (PC6)-to-Waiguan (TE5), and the needles were retained for 15 min on the right side and 30 min on the left side. Patients in the esmolol group were intravenously injected with 20 mg esmolol hydrochloride injection 5 min before anesthesia induction. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) of the two groups were recorded at 5 min after entering the operating room (T₀), before anesthesia induction (T₁), after anesthesia induction (T₂), before tracheal intubation (T₃) and 1 min after tracheal intubation (T₄). The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of pain and the incidence of nausea and vomiting in the two groups were observed at the time of entering postanesthesia care unit (PACU) (T₅), leaving PACU (T₆), 6 h after operation (T₇) and 24 h after operation (T₈). The dosage of anesthesia-related drugs in the two groups was counted. RESULTS: The SBP and HR of the two groups at T₂, T₃ and T₄ were lower than those at T₁ (P<0.05). SBP and HR at T₃ in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the esmolol group (P<0.05). Compared with the esmolol group, in the acupuncture group, the VAS scores of pain at T₆ and T₇ were decreased (P<0.05), the incidence of nausea and vomiting at T₇ and T₈ and the nausea and vomiting visual analogue scale (NVAS) scores were decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the esmolol group, the dosage of propofol in the acupuncture group was decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture with Neiguan (PC6)-to-Waiguan (TE5) can relieve hemodynamic fluctuations during anesthesia induction, reduce postoperative pain and nausea and vomiting, and reduce the dosage of propofol. The curative effect is better than that of esmolol.
Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Male ; Hemodynamics ; Propanolamines/administration & dosage* ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting/drug therapy* ; Young Adult ; Heart Rate ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Acupuncture Therapy

BACKGROUND: Treatment duration of wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) is uncertain for post-thyroidectomy pain relief. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of different WAA treatment duration on post-operative pain relief and other discomforts associated with thyroidectomy. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at a single research site in Guangzhou, China. A total of 132 patients receiving thyroidectomy were randomly divided into the control group (sham WAA, 30 min) and three intervention groups (group 1: WAA, 30 min; group 2: WAA, 45 min; group 3: WAA, 60 min), with group allocation ratio of 1:1:1:1. Acupuncture was administered within 1 hour of leaving the operating room. OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcome was patients' pain at the surgical site assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) at the moment after acupuncture treatment (post-intervention). Secondary outcomes included the patients' pain VAS scores at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after the thyroidectomy, the 40-item Quality of Recovery (QoR-40) score, the grade of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and the use of additional analgesic therapy. RESULTS: The adjusted mean difference (AMD) in VAS scores from baseline to post-intervention in group 1 was -0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.02 to -0.76). The decrease in VAS score at post-intervention was statistically significant in group 1 compared to the control group (AMD, -0.43; 95% CI, -0.58 to -0.28; P < 0.001), and in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (group 2 vs group 1: AMD, -0.65; 95% CI, -0.81 to -0.48; P < 0.001; group 3 vs group 1: AMD, -0.66; 95% CI, -0.86 to -0.47; P < 0.001). The VAS scores in the four groups converged beyond 24 h after the operation. Fewer patients in group 2 and group 3 experienced PONV in the first 24 h after operation. No statistical differences were measured in QoR-40 score and the number of patients with additional analgesic therapy. CONCLUSION Compared with the 30 min intervention, WAA treatment with longer needle retention time (45 or 60 min) had an advantage in pain relief within 6 h after surgery. WAA's analgesic effect lasted for 6-12 h post-operatively. Please cite this article as: Han XR, Yue W, Chen HC, He W, Luo JH, Chen SX, Liu N, Yang M. Treatment duration of wrist-ankle acupuncture for relieving post-thyroidectomy pain: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 168-175.
Male ; Humans ; Ankle ; Wrist ; Duration of Therapy ; Thyroidectomy ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting/drug therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Analgesics/therapeutic use* ; Pain/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of different frequency of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with wristband pressing on Neiguan (PC 6) for nausea and vomiting (PONV) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and optimize the TEAS frequency selection for treatment of PONV. METHODS: Eighty patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into a postoperative routine care group, a 2 Hz TEAS combined with wristband pressing group (2 Hz TEAS group), a 100 Hz TEAS combined with combined with wristband pressing group (100 Hz TEAS group) and a 2 Hz/100 Hz TEAS wristband pressing group (2 Hz/100 Hz TEAS group), 20 cases in each group (1 patient dropped off in the postoperative routine care group). All the four groups underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and routine nursing was given after the operation. In the postoperative routine nursing group，only routine nursing was received. In the other three groups, 2 Hz TEAS combined with wristband pressing, 100 Hz TEAS combined with wristband pressing, 2 Hz/100 Hz TEAS combined with wristband pressing to simulate Neiguan (PC 6) were treated on the basis of postoperative routine care after surgery. The treatment was given for 30 min each time for a total of 4 treatments. The incidence of PONV in each group was observed at 0-2 h, 2-8 h, 8-24 h and 24-48 h after operation, and the severity of PONV and postoperative pain were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with the postoperative routine care group, the incidence and severity of PONV in the four time periods after surgery were significantly reduced in the 2 Hz/100 Hz TEAS group (all <0.05), the incidence and severity of PONV in patients at 2 h and 2-8 h after surgery were significantly reduced in the 2Hz TEAS group and the 100 Hz TEAS group (all <0.05), the postoperative pain at 8 h and 24 h after surgery was alleviated in the 100 Hz TEAS group and the 2 Hz/100 Hz TEAS group (all <0.05). CONCLUSION Different frequency of TEAS combined with wristband pressing to stimulating Neiguan (PC 6) have certain therapeutic effects on PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 2 Hz/100 Hz TEAS combined with wristband pressing at Neiguan (PC 6) is more effective in PONV. 2 Hz/100 Hz TEAS and 100 Hz TEAS combined with wristband pressing at Neiguan (PC 6) have postoperative analgesic effect, and 2 Hz/100 Hz TEAS has the better analgesic effect.
Acupuncture Points ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Humans ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; therapy ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the quality of recovery during the early period after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the dosage of anesthetic and analgesic.

METHODSOne hundred patients who received laparoscopic cholecystectomy with gradeⅠand Ⅱ of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) criteria were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group according to random number table, 50 cases in each group. The patients in the two groups were treated with conventional endotracheal intubation anesthesia, anesthesia induction and maintenance. The patients in the observation group were treated with TEAS (2 Hz/100 Hz, 8 to 12 mA) at bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6), as well as Zusanli (ST 36) and the non-acupoint 2 outboard from Zusanli (ST 36) from 30 min before anesthesia induction to the end of operation. The patients in the control group were applied by stimulation electrode in the corresponding points without electrical stimulation. The dosage of intraoperative remifentanil and the analgesic dosage of dezocine for postoperation were recorded. The recovery time, extubation time, the changes of heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during extubation were recorded. The quality of recovery was assessed by the quality of recovery-40 questionnaire (QoR-40) 1 day before surgery (T)，and 4 h (T), 8 h (T), 24 h (T), 48 h (T) after surgery. The patient's cognitive function was assessed by mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scale at the 5 time points. The incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting were recorded at T through T.

RESULTSThe dosages of intraoperative remifentanil and dezocine in the observation group were less than those in the control group; the recovery time and extubation time were shorter than those in the control group; the HR of extubation was lower than that in the control group (all <0.05). There was no statistic difference about MAP between the two groups (>0.05). Compared with T, the total scores of QoR-40 decreased in the two groups at T, T, T (all <0.05), and the total scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (all <0.05). The emotional state, physical comfort, psychological support, self-care ability, pain scores at T in the observation group and at T, T, T in the control group were lower than those at T (all <0.05). The emotional state, physical comfort, psychological support, self-care ability, pain scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group at T, T, T (all <0.05). Compared with T, the MMSE scores in the two groups decreased at T and T (all <0.05). At T, T, T, the MMSE scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (all <0.05). At T and T, the incidence rates of nausea and vomiting were 22.0% (11/50), 12.0% (6/50) respectively in the observation group, which were lower than 32.0% (16/50) and 24.0% (12/50) in the control group (both <0.05). At T and T, the incidence rates of nausea and vomiting were 6.0% (3/50), 2.0% (1/50) respectively in the observation group, which were not significantly different from 8.0% (4/50) and 4.0% (2/50) in the control group (both >0.05).

CONCLUSIONTEAS can improve the quality of recovery during the early period after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and reduce the dosage of anesthetic and analgesic.

Acupuncture Points ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; therapy ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

PURPOSE: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common problem after general anesthesia. Although 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists have significantly reduced PONV, over 35% of patients treated with ondansetron can experience PONV. In this study, we investigated whether the Y129S and -100_-102AAG deletion polymorphisms of the 5-HT3B receptor gene affect the efficacy of ondansetron in preventing PONV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty-five adult patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled. Ondansetron 0.1 mg/kg was intravenously administered 30 minutes before the end of surgery. Genomic DNA was prepared from blood samples using a nucleic acid isolation device. Both the Y129S variant and the -100_-102AAG deletion variant were screened for using a single base primer extension assay and a DNA direct sequencing method, respectively. The relationship between genetic polymorphisms and clinical outcomes of ondansetron treatment was investigated. RESULTS: Among the 5-HT3B AAG deletion genotypes, the incidence of PONV was higher in patients with the homomutant than with other genotypes during the first 2 hours after surgery (p=0.02). There were no significant differences in the incidence of PONV among genotypes at 2-24 hours after surgery. In the Y129S variants of the 5-HT3B receptor gene, there were no significant differences in the incidence of PONV among genotypes during the first 2 hours and at 2-24 hours after surgery. CONCLUSION: The response to ondansetron for PONV was significantly influenced by the -100_-102AAG deletion polymorphisms of the 5-HT3B gene. Thus, the -100_-102AAG deletion variants may be a pharmacogenetic predictor for responsiveness to ondansetron for PONV.
Adult ; Aged ; Anesthesia, General ; Antiemetics/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Female ; Genome, Human ; Genotype ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ondansetron/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting/chemically induced/*drug therapy/epidemiology ; Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3/*drug effects/*genetics ; Time Factors

Association between postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and micro-opioid receptor A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is undefined and might underlie inconsistent results of studies on PONV occurrence in patients undergoing general anesthesia with the opioid, remifentanil. Four hundred and sixteen Korean women undergoing breast surgery with general anesthesia were randomized to receive remifentanil 10 ng/mL (plasma-site, Minto model) using a target-controlled infusion device and either propofol for total intravenous anesthesia (T group) or sevoflurane for inhalation anesthesia (I group) with bispectral index values maintained between 40 and 60. Blood specimens were collected after anesthesia induction for A118G SNP analysis. PONV and postoperative pain were evaluated. A118G SNP type distribution among Korean female adults studied was AG (n=195)>AA (n=158)>GG (n=63). Regardless of anesthetic technique, patients with GG types had lower PONV scale on arrival at postoperative care unit (PACU) (P=0.002), while T group showed lower PONV scale than I group up to 6 hr after PACU discharge in AA and AG types. No differences were apparent for postoperative pain among opioid receptor polymorphism. PONV occurrence differs according to opioid receptor polymorphism and anesthetic technique in patients undergoing general anesthesia with remifentanil.
Adult ; Analgesics, Opioid/*adverse effects ; Anesthesia, General/*adverse effects ; Breast Diseases/surgery ; Demography ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Methyl Ethers/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Pain, Postoperative/drug therapy ; Piperidines/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; *Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting/*etiology ; Receptors, Opioid, mu/*genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation on the postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and explore its mechanism.

METHODSNinety cases of elective cesarean section of I to II grade in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) were collected and randomized into a transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation group (group A), a sham-acupoint group (group B) and a blank control group (group C), 30 cases in each one. In the group A, 30 min before operation, the transcutaneous electric stimulation was applied to bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36). The stimulation lasted during operation and 1 h after operation. In the group B, the same electric stimulation was given at the sites 3 cm lateral to the medial sides of Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36). In the group C, the electric plaster was attached to bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36), without any electric stimulation. The lumbar epidural combined anesthesia and the postoperative analgesia were same in each group. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) , oxygen saturation of blood (SpO2) and the VAS (visual analogue scale) score of nausea and vomiting were recorded before acupoint stimulation (T0), at skin incision (T1), fetal delivery (T2), abdominal exploration (T3) and 1 h after operation (T4) as well as bleeding and application of oxytocin, ephedrine and atropine during operation separately. The changes of plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) concentration were observed at T0 and 30 min after electric stimulation.

RESULTSThe differences were not significant in MAP, HP and SpO2 at each time point of the three groups (all P> 0.05). The differences were not significant in bleeding and application of oxytocin, ephedrine and atropine during operation (all P > 0.05). The scores of nausea and vomiting in the group A during T1 to T4 were lower than those in the group B and group C (all P < 0.05). In the group A, 30 min after transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation, plasma 5-HT concentration was lower than those in the group B and group C (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe transcutaneous acupoint electric stimulation apparently relieves nausea and vomiting during and after cesarean section and the mechanism is relevant with the decrease of plasma 5-HT concentration.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Cesarean Section ; adverse effects ; Electric Stimulation ; Female ; Humans ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; blood ; etiology ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Serotonin ; blood ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONPostoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and postoperative pain are common during the early postoperative period. In addition to these problems, elderly patients risk developing postoperative confusion. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with these problems, and the extent of these problems, in a Singapore inpatient surgical population.

METHODSOver a period of six weeks, we surveyed 707 elective surgical inpatients aged ≥ 18 years who received general anaesthesia and/or regional anaesthesia.

RESULTSThe incidence of PONV was 31.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 34.8-41.9). The incidence increased with increasing Apfel score (p < 0.001) and were higher in female patients (odds ratio [OR] 1.74, 95% CI 1.28-2.36), non-smokers (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.04-2.88), patients with a history of PONV and/or motion sickness (OR 3.45, 95% CI 2.38-5.24), patients who received opioids (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.03-1.88), and patients who received general anaesthesia (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.11-2.79). Moderate to severe pain at rest and with movement were reported in 19.9% and 52.5% of patients, respectively. Among the patients who were predicted to experience mild pain, 29.5% reported moderate pain and 8.1% reported severe pain. The prevalence of postoperative confusion was 3.9% in the geriatric population.

CONCLUSIONHigher Apfel scores were associated with a higher risk of PONV and multimodal treatment for postoperative pain management was found to be insufficient. The incidence of postoperative confusion was low in this study.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia, General ; adverse effects ; Confusion ; chemically induced ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; Postoperative Complications ; chemically induced ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; chemically induced ; Postoperative Period ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sex Factors ; Singapore ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects on anesthesia recovery between assisted-electroacupuncture fast tracking anesthesia and simple fast tracking anesthesia in patients with minim ally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL).

METHODSEighty cases of mPCNL were selected and randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. Fentanyl (1-2 microg/kg), sevoflurane (8%) and rocuronium (0.5 mg/kg) were applied to perform anesthesia induction in both groups, and endotracheal inhalation of sevoflurane and intravenous pump injection of remifentanil were adopted to main anesthesia status during the operation. 20 min before anesthesia induction, bilateral Neiguan (PC 6), Neimadian, Hegu (LI 4), Yangxi (LI 5), Zhongji (CV 3), Qichong (ST 30), Zuwuli (LR 10) were selected and punctured in the treatment group, and elecctroacupuncture was given after arrival of qi until 30 min after the wake-up from anesthesia and withdrawal of endotracheal tube. The dosage for anesthesia maintenance, recovery time of awareness, extubation time, incidences of nausea, vomiting and chill and irritation of urethral catheters were observed and recorded.

RESULTS(1) The dosages of remifentanil and sevoflurane in the treatment group during the operation were obviously less than those in the control group [remifentanil: (5. 27 +/-1.23) micro g/kg h vs (7.35+/-1.70) micro g/kg . h; sevoflurane: (1.12+/-0.43) vol% vs (2.35+/-0.87) vol% , both P<0. 001]. (2) The recovery time of awareness and extubation time in the treatment group were significantly earlier than those in the control group [recovery time of awareness: (5.65 +/- 2.34) min vs (8. 87 +/- 6. 84) min, P<0. 01; extubation time : (7. 23+/-4. 35) min vs (10. 62+/-8. 16) min, P<0. 05]. (3) The incidences of nausea, vomiting and chill in the treatment group were significantly less than those in the control group (all P<0. 05). (4) The irritation of urethral catheters on urethra in the treatment group was significantly less than that in the control group (P<0. 001).

CONCLUSIONThe assisted-electroacupuncture anesthesia could reduce the dosage of remifentanil and sevoflurane in mPCNL fast tracking anesthesia in urinary surgery, reduce the incidences of nausea, vomiting, chill and irritation of urethral catheters during recovery stage, and prompt recovery of mPCNL patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Fentanyl ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Methyl Ethers ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Piperidines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; therapy ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the factors affecting the unused remaining volume of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) in patients who had undergone laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively collected patient records from pre-existing PCA log sheets from 98 patients. Surgical factors and IV PCA-related data including remaining volume, administration duration, early discontinuation (yes or no), and adverse reactions were recorded. Chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression were applied for data analysis. RESULTS: The average age of the 98 patients was 40.0 +/- 8.24 years. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and early discontinuation were not statistically significant among the different surgical groups (p = .540 and p = .338, respectively). Twenty-eight patients wanted discontinuation of IV PCA and the remaining volume was 33.6 +/- 7.8 mL (range 20-55 mL). The significant determinants of remaining volume were whether IV PCA was discontinued due to PONV and duration of surgery (p < .001). The surgical duration was inversely correlated with the remaining volume. CONCLUSION: Early discontinuation of IV PCA due to PONV is a major contributing factor to wastage of medicine. Prevention and treatment of PONV is needed to encourage patients to maintain PCA use for pain control.
Administration, Intravenous/*adverse effects/utilization ; Adult ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled/*adverse effects/utilization ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures/*adverse effects ; Humans ; Laparoscopy/*adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Pain Management/*adverse effects/utilization ; Pain, Postoperative/drug therapy ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting/*chemically induced ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult