Acupuncture as an Anesthetic Adjuvant for Pediatric Orthopedic Patients: A Pilot Study and Protocol Description

Abstract

Introduction: Postoperative pain and nausea are common sequelae of surgical interventions and general anesthesia. Acupuncture has shown promise for managing postoperative pain and nausea in adults, but studies have been limited in children.Objective: This was a pilot study exploring the potential efficacy of perioperative acupuncture in 5 pediatric patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Materials and Methods: Five children undergoing routine orthopedic procedures were enrolled in an openlabel pilot trial as part of an ongoing study of acupuncture in pediatric orthopedic patients. Perioperative acupuncture was performed following induction of general anesthesia. Postoperative courses are described and compared to previous surgeries performed without acupuncture in several cases. Results: Acupuncture was associated with smooth postoperative courses, including low levels of pain and nausea, and relatively rapid recovery from anesthesia and surgery. In patients who underwent other procedures without acupuncture intervention, the addition of acupuncture was associated with improved recovery profiles and decreased pain. Patients' and parents' satisfaction was high. There were no side-effects of the perioperative acupuncture. Conclusions: Acupuncture was well-tolerated in this pilot study of 5 pediatric orthopedic patients. Additional studies are to be conducted to evaluate clinical and statistical significance using a randomized, blinded study protocol.

Pediatric Integrative Medicine in Academia: Stanford Children’s Experience

“…Integrative modalities have been successfully used in the treatment of acute pain. For instance, acupuncture, clinical hypnosis, and breathing techniques have all been shown to improve pain scores in children with acute pain from illness or procedures [77,78,79]. Newer technologies, such as virtual reality devices, show significant promise in minimizing discomfort with vascular access and minor procedures [80,81].…”