Effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture on postoperative nausea and vomiting undergoing radiofrequency ablation in thyroid nodule: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo observe the influence of wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in thyroid nodule and its analgesic effect. MethodsA total of 66 patients with thyroid nodule and undergoing RFA were randomized into a WAA group and a sham-acupuncture(SA) group, 33 cases in each one. Acupuncture was exerted after the patients entering operation room. In the WAA group, WAA was applied on the bilateral Upper 1, 2 and 3 areas. In the SA group, the sham-acupuncture was given on the same areas. In 30 min after needle insertion, the routine RFA started in the patients of the two groups. All the needles were removed when the operation was finished. The proportion of intraoperative sufentanil supplementation, the incidence of 24 h PONV and the proportion of intraoperative intravenous injection of urapidil were recorded in the patients of the two groups. ResultsIn the WAA group, sufentanil was supplemented by 12.90%, obviously less than 36.36% in the SA group. The incidence of 24 h PONV was 9.68% in the WAA group, remarkably lower than 27.27% in the SA group, indicating statistical significances (both P < 0.05). The intravenous injection of urapidil was not applied during operation in the two groups, without statistical difference between the groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionWrist-ankle acupuncture reduces the intraoperative demand of sufentanil in radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodule and this therapy is preventive for PONV.