The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
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J Altern Complement Med · Jun 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTranscutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation versus ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative vomiting following pediatric tonsillectomy.
Postoperative retching and vomiting is an important cause of morbidity that may lead to patient discomfort, distress, and complications. Stimulation of acupuncture points has been shown to be effective in the prevention as well as treatment of PONV. The current treatments of choice are the 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3-antagonists, such as ondansetron. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and side-effects of either transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) or Ondansetron compared to a control group receiving no treatment in the prevention of postoperative retching and vomiting. SUBJECT AND DESIGN: This randomized, controlled, prospective study was carried out in a group of 90 children (in three equal randomly assigned groups), aged between 4 and 12 who underwent tonsillectomy under general anesthesia. In the first group, electrical stimulation via surface electrodes on acupoints Neiguan and Shangwan was performed (20 Hz, 5 minutes). The second group received a single dose of Ondansetron (0.15 mg . kg(-1)). No treatment was given to the control group. ⋯ Application of TEAS on sedated children is an easy, painless, reliable and effective method for the prophylaxis of postoperative retching and vomiting in pediatric tonsillectomy.