[Effect of electroacupuncture combined epidural anesthesia on plasma concentration of IL-1beta in patients undergoing gynecological surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined epidural anesthesia on plasma concentration of IL-1beta in patients undergoing gynecological surgery. METHODS: Forty patients who were scheduled to receive gynecological operation under epidural anesthesia were randomly assigned to the epidural anesthesia group (Group A, 20 cases) and the epidural combined EA group (Group B, 20 cases). All patients in the two groups received epidural anesthesia. Continuous EA at Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) with the frequency of 30 -100 Hz was applied in those in Group B. The peri-operative hemodynamic changes, visual analog scale (VAS), and the plasma concentration of IL-1 3 were observed. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in peri-operative hemodynamic changes between the two groups (P >0.05). Compared with Group A, the VAS was lower in Group B at post-operative 8, 24, and 48 h, respectively (P <0.05), and the plasma concentration of IL-1beta was also lower in Group B at post-operative 4 h, 24 h, and 3 days (P <0. 05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture could ease postoperative pain and reduce the plasma concentration of IL-1beta.