ACUPRESSURE FOR INTRATHECAL NARCOTIC-INDUCED NAUSEA AND VOMITING AFTER CESAREAN-SECTION

In this randomized double-blind trial we investigated the effect of ac upressure on the incidence of nausea and vomiting after caesarean sect ion under spinal anaesthesia with added intrathecal morphine. Parturie nts wore either acupressure or placebo wristbands during surgery and p ostoperatively for at least 10 h. There was no significant difference overall betweeen the two groups in the incidence of intra- or postoper ative nausea or vomiting/retching. Demand for antiemetic medication wa s also similar in the two groups. However, in the sub-group of parturi ents who gave a previous history of postoperative nausea or vomiting, there was a statistically significant reduction in both postoperative nausea and vomiting/retching in the acupressure group. Further investi gations are needed to see whether acupressure may be an effective non- pharmacological, noninvasive treatment for a common problem in this su b-group of patients.