The Effect of TEAS on the Quality of Early Recovery
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
During the past four decades, gynecologic laparoscopy has evolved from a limited method to an
advanced operative approach that frequently serves as a substitute for laparotomy. The
advantages of laparoscopy over laparotomy include less postoperative pain, shorter hospital
stays, and reduced blood loss. However, in the surgery CO2 increases the intra-abdominal and
intrathoracic pressure, which leads to cardiac output decrease and increases sympathetic
activity in a reflex. On the other hand, CO2 accumulation in the body leads to hypercapnia,
which indirectly stimulates aortic body chemosensory organs and carotid sinus, increasing the
concentration of plasma catecholamines, cortisol and vasopressin , these responses have an
important impact on patient recovery after surgery.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method to treat diseases and relieve pain. Transcutaneous
electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), a noninvasive adjunctive intervention based on
acupuncture, has been widely accepted and used worldwide. To date, multiple studies have
demonstrated TEAS could reduce intra-operative opioid drugs consumption, reduce the incidence
of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and improve postoperative cognitive function.
However, whether TEAS could improve the quality of early recovery after gynecologic
laparoscopy is unknown. In this study we therefore investigated the effects of TEAS at the
acupoints of Baihui (GV20), Yingtang (EX-HN3), Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) on the
quality of early recovery in the patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery.