[P6 acupoint injection reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting].

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Integrative Medicine
• Surgical Nursing

Background:

• Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) persist as significant challenges in modern anesthesia.
• Current anti-emetic therapies often present limitations, including side effects like drowsiness.
• Ambulant outpatients and patients receiving opioids are particularly susceptible to PONV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture at the P6 acupoint as an anti-emetic intervention.
• To evaluate the impact of P6 acupoint stimulation on PONV incidence in patients undergoing D&C procedures.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled study involving 64 patients undergoing D&C under intravenous anesthesia.
• Patients were allocated to either a control group (standard anesthesia) or an intervention group (standard anesthesia plus P6 acupoint injection).
• The intervention involved injecting 3 mL of normal saline into the P6 acupoint post-anesthesia.

Main Results:

• A significant reduction in the incidence of nausea and vomiting was observed in the acupuncture group.
• Only 2 out of 32 patients in the acupoint injection group experienced nausea or vomiting.
• Compared to 10 out of 32 control patients, demonstrating a notable anti-emetic effect.

Conclusions:

• Acupuncture at the P6 acupoint shows potential as an effective anti-emetic strategy.
• Further research is recommended to explore the mechanisms and broader application of acupuncture for PONV.
• This study suggests a promising, non-pharmacological approach to managing postoperative nausea and vomiting.