Description Two acupuncture needles (manufactured, autoclaved) of 150 mm by 0.50 mm, were inserted subcutaneously, one 4 cm above and parallel to the surgical incision and the other 2 cm below the inguinal ligament on the thigh.Other acupuncture needles (40 mm by 0.25 mm/Dong Bang Korea) were inserted using a guide tube in sites at the limbs close to nerve ranches in order to elicit supraspinal effects of the neurostimulation, and in one ear,at the Heart point in the centre of the cavum
oncha (Cranial nerve X)—and at the Shenmen point in the fossa triangularis (Cranial nerve V).
Experimental Description
Thirty-three patients were randomised to EA (n=16) or sham transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) control (n=17).
Sample Count
33
Age
18-75
Control
Sham
control(n=17)
Experiment
EA(n=16)
Indicator
Sedative drugs doseLocal anaestheticsOther anaesthetic proceduresVisual analog scale(VAS)Heart rate(HR)Blood pressure(BP)Blood glucoseWhite blood cell countNumber and dose of any prescribed drugs takenArea of peri-incisional oedemaInfection or other adverse events
Auxiliary Medication
Preoperative sedation was induced with pethidine 50 mg and diazepam 10 mg, each diluted by 10 ml of distilled water, applied in steps of 2 ml intravenously during surgery. The local anaesthesia was applied using a standard 20 ml solution with lidocaine 2% and marcaine 0.5% diluted in 40 ml of distilled water, infiltrated in skin, subcutaneous and muscle planes, according to the Lichtenstein step-by-step technique.
Stimulation Method
TENS;EA
Induction Method
Electroacupuncture Instrument Model
Manufacturer
Frequency
Waveform
Strength
Induction Time
-
Sikuro Company, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3/5/10/20/50/100/160/240 Hz
alternate,rectangular/exponential asymmetric current
-
5 min, The electrical stimulation lasted throughout surgery
Acupuncture_Needle
Needle_Manufacturer
Needle_Depth
150×0.50 mm;40× 0.25 mm
Dong Bang-Korea
-
Description A pattern for the stimulation frequencies of EA was adopted, which increased progressively over time. The starting frequency was 3 Hz in continuous mode for 5 min, then increased in steps of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 160 Hz and finally
up to 240 Hz after 30 min, at an amplitude that was comfortable for the patient. After this time, sedation and local anaesthesia were given in preparation for surgery. The electrical stimulation lasted throughout surgery at 240 Hz.
Anesthesia Method
AAA
Clinical Trial Type
random
Adverse Effects
No episodes of nausea or vomiting or adverse effects of EA were seen.
Contraindications
Patients were excluded who had chronic severe anxiety disorder, uncontrolled hypertension, severe obesity and those with irreducible, recurrent or complex (bilat_x005feral, affecting the abdominal wall) hernia, with liver or kidney chronic failure, with history of signifi cant bleeding or taking anticoagulant agents, or
with chronic use of analgesics or addictive drugs (cocaine, crack), as well as those who were pregnant, fi tted with a pacemaker and unable to read
Effector
There was no difference between the pain scores in the groups receiving EA and sham TENS in the immediate postoperative period, which may be owing to adequate levels of analgesia from conventional techniques. On the fourth and seventh postoperative days, less pain and lower consumption of analgesic drugs were reported in the treatment group. Seroma occurred more frequently in the control group, which also had higher glucose blood levels in the immediate postoperative surgery period. The single case of chronic postoperative pain occurred in the control group.
Effects of electroacupuncture on local anaesthesia for inguinal hernia repair: a randomised placebo-controlled trial.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of electroacupuncture (EA), akin to percutaneous electroneurostimulation, on pain and biochemical measures during and after inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: Thirty-three patients were randomised to EA (n=16) or sham transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) control (n=17). EA was applied at different frequencies, through needles inserted around the incision, over selected peripheral nerve branches and in the ear, from 30 min before surgery until the end of surgery, when needles were removed. All patients also received routine sedation and local anaesthesia. RESULTS: There was no difference between the pain scores in the groups receiving EA and sham TENS in the immediate postoperative period, which may be owing to adequate levels of analgesia from conventional techniques. On the fourth and seventh postoperative days, less pain and lower consumption of analgesic drugs were reported in the treatment group. Seroma occurred more frequently in the control group, which also had higher glucose blood levels in the immediate postoperative surgery period. The single case of chronic postoperative pain occurred in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The sample size was too small to draw any conclusions about the effect of EA on pain and other parameters following inguinal hernia surgery, but our observations suggest that future studies in this area are justified."
