Effect of Buccal Acupuncture with Patient-Controlled Analgesia on Pain, Inflammation, and Coagulation in Gastric...

Buccal acupuncture combined with patient-controlled analgesia (PCIA) is commonly used after surgery. This study focused on the effects of acupuncture combined with PCIA on postoperative pain, inflammatory response, and coagulation function in patients with gastric cancer (GC). From March 2024 to January 2025, 142 GC patients were selected and assigned to a routine group (79 cases) and a buccal acupuncture group (63 cases). Pre- and postoperative levels of serum pain mediators (SP, PGE2, β-EP, and Glu), inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and CD11b), coagulation function parameters (PT, APTT, TT, D-D, and TAT), platelet activation (GP IIb/IIIa, CD62P, GMP-140, and PAC-1) were detected. Serological indexes indicated post-treatment reductions in SP, PGE2, and Glu as well as an elevation in β-EP in the buccal acupuncture group (P<0.05). Moreover, more pronounced decreases in IL-6 and CD11b, and increases in IL-10, were observed in the buccal acupuncture group compared to the routine group (P<0.05). Regarding blood coagulation function, lower post-treatment D-D, TAT, and sCD62P were observed in the buccal acupuncture group compared with the routine group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, GP IIb/IIIa, CD62P, GMP-140, and PAC-1 in the buccal acupuncture group were lower than in the routine group (P<0.05). Buccal acupuncture combined with PCIA may exert analgesic effects through multiple mechanisms, including regulating the balance of pain mediators, relieving inflammation, enhancing vascular endothelial function, and correcting a hypercoagulable state. It can also improve clinical analgesic outcomes and reduce opioid consumption with good safety.