Description PC6 (Neiguan), ST36 (Zusanli), and ST37 (Shangjuxv)
Experimental Description
The selected participants were randomly allocated to two groups: routine-treatment (RT) and EA group receiving EA at PC6, ST36, and ST37.
Sample Count
42
Age
≥18
Control
Std
routine-treatment (RT)(n=21)
Experiment
EA group(n=21)
Indicator
Incidence and degree of abdominal distensionTime of first flatusTime of first defecationDuration of hospital stay
Auxiliary Medication
Potassium Chloride Injection
Stimulation Method
EA
Induction Method
Electroacupuncture Instrument Model
Manufacturer
Frequency
Waveform
Strength
Induction Time
-
Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory, Suzhou, China
15 Hz
continuous wave
-
20 min
Acupuncture_Needle
Needle_Manufacturer
Needle_Depth
0.25×38 mm
Wuxi Jiajian Medical Instrument Co. Ltd., Jiangsu, China
4-10 mm
Description EA stimulation was performed for a duration of 20 min at a frequency of 15 Hz with a continuous wave.
Anesthesia Method
GA
Clinical Trial Type
randomly
Adverse Effects
There were no participants with needle breakages, unbearable pain, and other acupuncture-related adverse events during the study.
Contraindications
The exclusion criteria included participants with serious systemic disease
Effector
The incidence of abdominal distension (42.8, 76.2%) and degree of abdominal distension were significantly reduced in the EA group (P = 0.03 and P = 0.03, respectively). In comparisons of the first times of flatus (3.05 ± 0.58, 3.29 ± 0.42 days) and defecation (2.81 ± 0.51, 3.20 ± 0.55 days) and duration of hospitalization (5.33 ± 0.68, 5.75 ± 0.66 days), the EA group was superior to the RT group to some extent (P = 0.13, P = 0.02, and P = 0.04, respectively).Preoperative EA at PC6, ST36, and ST37 might be useful for preventing PGD, thereby improving gastrointestinal function recovery.
Electroacupuncture for the prevention of postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in participants undergoing vascular laparotomy under general anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (PGD) is a common complication following laparotomy under general anesthesia (GA). Abdominal distension occurs in 8-28% of surgeries within 24 h postoperatively. The present study aimed to analyze the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) for the prevention of PGD by applying preoperative EA stimulation of PC6 (Neiguan), ST36 (Zusanli), and ST37 (Shangjuxv) bilaterally twice within 24 h prior to surgery, compared with no acupuncture treatment. METHODS: The study participants were assessed and selected from participants undergoing vascular laparotomy under GA at the Liver and Vascular Surgery Unit in West China Hospital of Sichuan University. The selected participants were randomly allocated to two groups: routine-treatment (RT) and EA group receiving EA at PC6, ST36, and ST37. A computer-generated list of random numbers was used to determine the allocation of the participants, with numbered opaque sealed envelopes containing the randomization schedule. Eligible participants were all adults aged 18 years or above who were scheduled to undergo vascular laparotomy under GA within 24 h and had no history of EA treatment. The exclusion criteria included participants with serious systemic disease and history of EA treatment. While the RT group received standard treatments, the EA group received additional EA treatments. During each treatment session, EA stimulation was performed for a duration of 20 min at a frequency of 15 Hz with a continuous wave. All such participants received two EA treatments within 24 h before surgery. The outcomes were measured in three metrics: incidence and degree of abdominal distension; first times of flatus and defecation; and duration of hospitalization. RESULTS: Forty-three participants were recruited, of whom 42 participants successfully completed the study. Each group contained 21 participants. The incidence of abdominal distension (42.8, 76.2%) and degree of abdominal distension were significantly reduced in the EA group (P = 0.03 and P = 0.03, respectively). In comparisons of the first times of flatus (3.05 +/- 0.58, 3.29 +/- 0.42 days) and defecation (2.81 +/- 0.51, 3.20 +/- 0.55 days) and duration of hospitalization (5.33 +/- 0.68, 5.75 +/- 0.66 days), the EA group was superior to the RT group to some extent (P = 0.13, P = 0.02, and P = 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative EA at PC6, ST36, and ST37 might be useful for preventing PGD, thereby improving gastrointestinal function recovery. Trial registration This study is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-13003649."
Souce
Chin Med. 2017 Jan 16;12:5. doi: 10.1186/s13020-016-0122-9. eCollection 2017.
