Positive Health Online

Abstract

TURGUT and colleagues, Ankara Oncology Hospital, Department of Anaesthesiology, Ankara, Turkey, have used acupressure to reduce nausea and vomiting in women after surgery.

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure in preventing nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing gynaecological operations and receiving a patient-controlled analgesia device.

Methodology

100 women aged between 40 and 65 were randomized into one of two groups: Acupressure and control. In the Acupressure group, Acupressure bands were placed on both wrists with the plastic bead positioned at the P6 point. In controls, beads were placed at a non-acupoint site. All patients received a standard general anaesthetic. Postoperatively, patients were connected to a patient-controlled analgesia device with morphine. Pain and sedation scores, respiratory rate, heart rate, arterial pressure and oxygen saturation were recorded for 24 h. Metoclopramide was administered intravenously as a rescue antiemetic.

Results

In the Acupressure group, 33% of patients had nausea compared with 63% controls. The cumulative incidence of vomiting at 24 h was 25% with Acupressure and 61% in controls. The incidence of nausea, vomiting and antiemetic use was significantly lower with acupressure.

Conclusion

Acupressure at the P6 meridian point is an effective alternative for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving patient-controlled analgesia with morphine after gynaecological surgery.

References

Turgut S, Ozalp G, Dikmen S, Savli S, Tuncel G,  Kadiogullari N. Acupressure for postoperative nausea and vomiting in gynaecological patients receiving patient-controlled analgesia. European Journal of Anaesthesiology 24 (1): 87-91, Jan 2007.