The use of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation for preventing nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic surgery

Nonpharmacologic techniques may be effective in preventing postoperative na usea and vomiting (PONV). This sham-controlled, double-blinded study was de signed to examine the antiemetic efficacy of transcutaneous acupoint electr ical stimulation (TAES) in a surgical population at high risk of developing PONV. We studied 221 outpatients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy w ith a standardized general anesthetic technique in this randomized, multice nter trial. In the TAPS group, an active ReliefBand(R) (Woodside Biomedical , Inc., Carlsbad, CA) device was placed at the P6 acupoint, whereas in the Sham and Placebo groups, an inactive device was applied at the P6 acupoint and at the dorsal aspect of the wrist, respectively. The ReliefBand was app lied after completion of electrocautery and remained in place for 9 h after surgery. The incidence of PONV and need for "rescue" medication were evalu ated at predetermined time intervals. TAES was associated with a significan tly decreased incidence of moderate-to-severe nausea as denoted on the Func tional Living Index-Emesis score for up to 9 h after surgery (5%-11% for th e TAES group vs 16%-38% [P < 0.05] and 15%-26% [P < 0.05] for Sham and Plac ebo groups, respectively). TAPS was also associated with a larger proportio n of patients free from moderate to severe nausea symptoms (73% vs 41% and 49% for Sham and Placebo groups, respectively; P < 0.05). However, there we re no statistically significant differences among the three groups with reg ard to incidence of vomiting or the need for rescue antiemetic drugs. We co nclude that TAPS with the ReliefBand at the P6 acupoint reduces nausea, but not vomiting, after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.