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Ear Plaster Therapy as a Safe and Effective Treatment for Gestational Vomiting
05:33

Ear Plaster Therapy as a Safe and Effective Treatment for Gestational Vomiting

Published on: August 4, 2023

Capsicum plasters on acupoints decrease the incidence of emergence agitation in pediatric patients

H Volkan Acar1, Ahmet Yilmaz, Gamze Demir

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Ankara Training and Research Hospital of Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey. hvacar@yahoo.com

Paediatric Anaesthesia
|May 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Capsicum plasters applied to HT 7 acupoints reduced the incidence of emergence agitation (EA) in children after tonsillectomy. This non-pharmacological approach offers a valuable option for preventing postoperative agitation in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Acupuncture Research

Background:

  • Emergence agitation (EA) affects 10-80% of pediatric patients post-tonsillectomy, potentially causing self-harm and increased healthcare needs.
  • Current pharmacological interventions for EA have yielded controversial results and potential side effects.
  • Non-pharmacological strategies are being explored to manage EA effectively and safely.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of capsicum plasters on HT 7 acupoints in reducing emergence agitation (EA) in pediatric patients.
  • To assess the impact of capsicum plaster application on postoperative pain, recovery duration, and side effects.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized study included 50 pediatric patients (ages 2-10) undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy.
  • Patients received either capsicum plasters (acupuncture group) or inactive plasters (sham group) on bilateral HT 7 points preoperatively.
  • Postoperative emergence agitation (PAED scale), pain (CHEOPS scale), and side effects were assessed for 15 minutes.

Main Results:

  • The acupuncture group showed a significantly lower incidence of EA (28.0% vs. 60.0%) and fewer postoperative side effects compared to the sham group.
  • While EA severity was not significantly different, the acupuncture group experienced a shorter recovery duration.
  • Patients with EA exhibited higher age and more retching; postoperative side effects like vomiting were more frequent in EA patients.

Conclusions:

  • Applying capsicum plasters to HT 7 acupoints is an effective non-pharmacological method for preventing emergence agitation in children.
  • This intervention presents a valuable and potentially safer alternative for managing postoperative agitation in pediatric surgical patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
childemergence deliriumotolaryngology

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