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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Laboratory Administration of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS): Technique, Targeting, and Considerations
Published on: January 7, 2019
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after elective
Nedim Cekmen1, Bülent Salman, Zelal Keles
1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara 06500, Turkey. nedimcekmen@yahoo.com
Study Objective:
To examine the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).
Design:
Randomized, prospective, controlled study.
Setting:
Gazi University Medical School Hospital.
Patients:
40 ASA physical status I-II patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Interventions:
Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group I received TENS (stimulation group), whereas group II served as the control group (nonstimulation group). In group I, one electrode was applied to the hairless skin on the neck as anode, and the other 2 (electrodes) were applied to the mastoid area. The stimulator at a frequency of 5 Hz, 50 milliseconds, with a current density of 0.5 to 4 mA was applied on the trapezoid area for 6 hours to all patients postoperatively.
Measurements:
All patients in both groups were evaluated for side effects, antiemetic effects, and analgesic and antiemetic need for 24 hours.
Main Results:
Postoperative nausea and vomiting, frequency of dizziness, additional antiemetic and analgesic need, and PONV scores were lower in group I than group II.
Conclusions:
Electrical stimulation of the vestibular system may be useful in the prevention of PONV.
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