ABSTRACT
Objective:
To examine the effects of transcutaneous electrical
acupoint stimulation(TEAS)on
pain and rapid recovery in
elderly patients undergoing
thoracoscopic surgery.
Methods:
A total of 60
elderly patients undergoing
thoracoscopic surgery were randomly divided into the TEAS group and the
control group.
Patients in the TEAS group received TEAS in bilateral
acupoints of Hegu, Neiguan, Houxi and Zhigou at a frequency of 2/100 Hz for 30 min before
anesthesia induction.The
electrical stimulation intensity went from weak to strong, and gradually adjusted to the
patient's maximum tolerance(10 to 15 mA)continuously for 30 min; TEAS continued during intraoperative
anesthesia with a stimulation intensity of 30 mA and a frequency of 2/100 Hz until the end of
surgery.
Patients in the
control group were given
electrode pads at the same
acupoints without
electrical stimulation.
Results:
Compared with the
control group,
patients in the TEAS group were associated with significantly decreased doses of
Sufentanil[(57.93±5.54)μg vs (44.30±4.03 )μg, t=-10.903, P=0.000)],
Remifentanil[(1.56±0.26)μg vs (1.08±0.18)μg, t=-8.3043, P=0.000)],
Propofol[(763.23±62.04)mg vs (559.20±46.44) mg, t=-14.420, P=0.000)]and
Dexmedetomidine[(545.07±53.36) vs (301.67±43.27) μg, t=-19.405, P=0.000)], reduced frequency of
analgesic pump pressing(9.9±2.0 vs 2.9±1.3, t=-10.903, P=0.000), decreased VAS scores 24 h(3.53±1.07 vs 1.90±0.66, t=-7.090, P=0.000)and 48 h(1.37±0.61 vs 0.93±0.37, t=-4.660, P=0.000)postoperatively.
Time to regaining
consciousness, extubation and detachment were also markedly shortened in the TEAS group.In addition,
time to postoperative
feeding and
time to postoperative
ambulation were also reduced.Postoperative
hospitalization days( P<0.05)and
anesthesia cost( P<0.01)both significantly decreased in the TEAS group compared with those in the
control group.
Patients in the TEAS group had lower rates of
nausea,
vomiting, decreased
oxygen saturation,
dyspnea,
dizziness, agitation and
lethargy, and increased
heart rate and decreased
mean arterial pressure after the opening of the
pleura(H1)compared with those in the
control group(all P<0.05). Bispectral indexes were maintained between 40 and 60 after
anesthesia in both groups(all P<0.01).
Conclusions:
TEAS-assisted
anesthesia can effectively alleviate
pain in
elderly patients undergoing
thoracoscopic surgery and promote rapid recovery after operation.