[Effect of transcutaneous electric muscle stimulation on postoperative muscle mass and protein synthesis]

In an experimental study, 13 patients undergoing major elective abdominal surgery were given postoperative transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (TEMS) to the quadriceps femoris muscle on one leg, where the opposite leg served as a control. Changes in cross sectional area (CSA) and muscle protein synthesis were assessed by CT-scan and percutaneous muscle biopsies for ribosome analysis before surgery and on the sixth postoperative day. The percentage of polyribosomes in the ribosome suspension decreased significantly (p < 0.03) after operation in control legs, but not in stimulated legs (p > 0.16). The total concentration of ribosomes decreased significantly in TEMS legs (p < 0.03), but not in control legs (p > 0.16) CSA decreased significantly in both legs. The decrease in polyribosomes and CSA after operation was significantly less in TEMS legs than in controls (p < 0.05). TEMS may be a simple and effective method to improve muscle protein synthesis and muscle mass after abdominal surgery and should be evaluated in other catabolic states with muscle wasting.