Effect of single or multi-period use of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation on postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery: a prospective randomized double-blind trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of different periods for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. SETTING: An academic medical canter specializing in the care of women and children. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: A total of 120 women were enrolled. METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated to three groups: a single-period TEAS group (Group S, n = 40), a multi-period TEAS group (Group M, n = 40) and a non-stimulation control group (Group C, n = 40). TEAS was applied at specific acupuncture points preoperatively and postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the incidence and severity of PONV during the 48 h after surgery and the secondary outcomes included pain, early recovery after surgery, and complication. RESULTS: Within postoperative 0-2 h, 4-12 h, group M had less frequency and lower scores for nausea compared with group C and group S had only less frequency of nausea compared with group C at 4-12 h postoperatively. The frequency and severity of vomiting for group M were less than group S in the postoperative 2-4 h. Group M mitigated pain and reduced the rescue antiemetic compared to group S. CONCLUSION: Multiple-period TEAS provides greater efficacy and a longer duration of action than single-period TEAS. It effectively reduces PONV in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery which could be a new option in multimodal prophylactic antiemetic regimes for perioperative undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trials Registry, No. ChiCTR2200065802, Registered 15/11/2022. https//www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit? pid=175,377.