The Effect of Electroacustimulation on Postoperative Nausea, Vomiting, and Pain in Outpatient Plastic Surgery Patients: A Prospective, Randomized, Blinded, Clinical Trial

Abstract

The authors' study demonstrates that electroacustimulation offers added protection against symptoms of postoperative nausea and vomiting in an outpatient cosmetic surgery population, representing a safe and cost-effective addition to current pharmacologic preventive measures.

The effect of pre‐treatment with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on the quality of recovery after ambulatory breast surgery: a prospective, randomised controlled trial

“…We suggest that this is because of the lower doses of remifentanil that they received. Likewise, the reduction in the side‐effects of anaesthesia we observed confirms the results of previous trials and is also of course particularly welcome in ambulatory surgery. Transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation also achieved better analgesic effects within the first 24 h postoperatively, adding weight to a previous study suggesting analgesic benefit from auricular acupuncture before hip arthroplasty .…”

“…The beneficial effect of electroacupuncture or TEAS has also been shown in earlier trials . However, the parameters and acupoints used to administer the stimulation vary among different studies.…”

“…Several clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on the consumption of intra‐operative anaesthetics and on drug‐related side‐effects, with promising results . Moreover, many studies conducted in the USA and Europe suggest that acupuncture appears to be effective for postoperative nausea and vomiting . However, the effects of acupuncture or electroacupuncture on recovery room stay and the quality of recovery from anaesthesia remain unknown.…”

Pain Control Following Breast Augmentation: A Qualitative Systematic Review

“…2,3 Pain, nausea, and vomiting also contribute to wound dehiscence, bleeding, and increased length of hospital stays. 4,5 It is clear that adequate pain control is an important aspect of postoperative management that can have a substantial impact on morbidity and patient satisfaction, ultimately influencing the patient's experience of an elective outpatient cosmetic procedure such as breast augmentation.…”

“…Odansetron and promethazine are the most common antiemetics and can cause abdominal pain, headache, elevated liver function enzymes, and extrapyramidal effects. 5 Postoperative nausea and vomiting can delay time to ambulation, which in turn increases the risk of thromboembolic events. The direct and indirect drawbacks of systemic narcotic administration have led to the investigation of alternative means of postoperative pain control.…”