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[Acupuncture: complications, contraindications and informed consent].
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Deutschland. grootm@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Summary
Acupuncture complications are common, ranging from minor issues like bleeding to severe ones such as pneumothorax. Awareness of these risks and contraindications is crucial for patient safety in acupuncture practice.
Area of Science:
- Integrative and Complementary Medicine
- Patient Safety
- Medical Complications
Background:
- Acupuncture is widely used, leading to an increase in reported complications.
- Common, harmless disturbances include bleeding, pain, and skin symptoms, occurring in about half of treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize reported complications associated with acupuncture.
- To identify contraindications for acupuncture based on published adverse events.
Main Methods:
- Review of published case reports and inquiries regarding acupuncture complications.
- Analysis of complication types, frequencies, and severity.
Main Results:
- Minor complications are frequent; orthostatic dysregulations occur in 1% of patients.
- Severe complications like pneumothorax (lung puncture) are rare but can be fatal.
- Other serious risks include organ/nerve/vessel injury, infections (sepsis, endocarditis), and viral transmission.
Conclusions:
- Contraindications for acupuncture include coagulation disturbances, immune deficiency, and heart valve issues.
- Preventive measures like treating patients in a lying position can reduce certain risks.
- Informed consent is important, especially in clinical trials, due to potential serious complications.