Description local pain control points (LI4 and SD36) and nearby the incision (total of 4 needles, 2 on each side of the incision)
Experimental Description
Ninety male patients, who were referred to our department with indications of inguinal surgery, were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups, such as acupuncture and control. We used electro-acupuncture for the acupuncture group and no actual acupuncture (but placed needle electrodes similar to the acupuncture group) for the control group.
Sample Count
90
Age
12-55
Control
Sham
control group(n=45)
Experiment
acupuncture group(n=45)
Indicator
First time requests of analgesicsVital signsBlood pressure(BP)Heart rate(HR)Blood oxygen levelVisual analog scale(VAS)Dosage of opium demandFrequency of opium demandOpioid related side effectsNauseaVomitingDizzinessPruritus
Auxiliary Medication
The anesthesia technique was the same for all the patients of both groups, which was general anesthesia using fentanyl 2 µg/kg, sodium thiopental 5 mg/kg, atracuriom 0.5 mg/kg, and the maintenance of propofol 100 µg/kg/min.
Stimulation Method
EA
Induction Method
Electroacupuncture Instrument Model
Manufacturer
Frequency
Waveform
Strength
Induction Time
the SDZ V Nerve and Muscle Stimulator
Service4all, Saudi Arabia
2 HTZ
intermittent wave
2-5 mA
30 min(before surgery);1-2 h(after surgery)
Acupuncture_Needle
Needle_Manufacturer
Needle_Depth
-
-
1-1.5 cm
Description We used the SDZ V Nerve and Muscle Stimulator (Service4all, Saudi Arabia) with needles inserted through local pain control points (LI4 and SD36) and nearby the incision (total of 4 needles, 2 on each side of the incision) for both groups. The needles were inserted 1.0-1.5 cm deep, perpendicularly into the skin and were then attached to the device and started. The impulses were in the form of intermittent waves with an intensity of 2 HTZ and 2-5 mA. EA was applied through these electrodes, 30 minutes before the operation, and also 1 and 2 hours after the surgery (20 minute durations for each time). In the control group, there was no electrical excitement through the needles.
Anesthesia Method
GA
Clinical Trial Type
random
Contraindications
Interfering neurological diseases
Effector
Pain intensity and analgesic use were significantly higher in the control group (P < 0.05). In the acupuncture group, the VAS pain scores were significantly lower than the control group at 0.5, 1 and 2 hours post operation. When the opioid related side effects were compared for each group, the results showed that the number of subjects who experienced dizziness in the acupuncture group was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05).
The effect of acupuncture on relieving pain after inguinal surgeries.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain is one of the most prevalent and bothersome issues found in the surgical department. Nowadays, there are various methods of acupuncture used for relieving pain without the complications found in some routine postoperative analgesics. These methods could be especially useful for high risk patients prone to complications from analgesics, such as transplantation recipients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of electro-acupuncture on postoperative pain control after inguinal surgeries. METHODS: Ninety male patients, who were referred to our department with indications of inguinal surgery, were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups, such as acupuncture and control. We used electro-acupuncture for the acupuncture group and no actual acupuncture (but placed needle electrodes similar to the acupuncture group) for the control group. Postoperative pain was quantified by a blind observer in both groups using a visual analogue scale (VAS) standard score before being compared. RESULTS: Pain intensity and analgesic use were significantly higher in the control group (P < 0.05). In the acupuncture group, the VAS pain scores were significantly lower than the control group at 0.5, 1 and 2 hours post operation. When the opioid related side effects were compared for each group, the results showed that the number of subjects who experienced dizziness in the acupuncture group was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture in patients, after inguinal surgery, can reduce the need of analgesics, which also directly reduces the complications that may occur when analgesics are used in relieving pain postoperatively."
Souce
Korean J Pain. 2013 Jan;26(1):46-50. doi: 10.3344/kjp.2013.26.1.46. Epub 2013 Jan 4.
