Impact of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with aromatherapy on postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing microvascular decompression surgery: a prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND: Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery is frequently associated with severe postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This prospective randomized trial aimed to evaluate the combined efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) and aromatherapy on PONV in patients who underwent MVD surgery. METHODS: 180 patients who underwent MVD surgery were randomly allocated to each of the four groups: group T (TEAS), group A (aromatherapy), group TA (TEAS combined with aromatherapy), and group C (control). The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV at 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery. RESULTS: We analyzed the data from 180 patients who completed the trial. During the postoperative 0‐24 h, groups T, A, and TA significantly reduced the incidence of nausea compared to group C (31.11 % in group T, 28.89 % in group A, and 24.44 % in group TA vs. 60.00 % in group C; P < 0.008), and groups A and TA significantly reduced the incidence of vomiting (33.33 % in group A and 22.22 % in group TA vs. 62.22 % in group C; P < 0.008). During the postoperative 24‐48 h, group TA indicated reduced incidence of nausea and vomiting compared to group C (P = 0.001, P = 0.004, respectively). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the incidence of nausea and vomiting among four groups within the postoperative 48‐72 h (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TEAS and aromatherapy are effective in treating nausea and vomiting following MVD surgery. However, the combined prophylaxis is not superior to either treatment alone.