Auricular Acupuncture for Pain Relief After Ambulatory Knee Arthroscopy

Auricular Acupuncture Versus Placebo (Sham Acupuncture) for Postoperative Pain Relief After Ambulatory Knee Arthroscopy - a Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim was to investigate whether auricular acupuncture is superior to sham acupuncture in relief of acute postoperative pain and in reduction of analgesics consumption on demand and their side effects in patients after ambulatory knee arthroscopy

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of I to II scheduled for ambulatory knee arthroscopy under general anesthesia.
2. Surgery time does not exceed 60 minutes.
3. Patients without previous opioid and/or psychiatric medication.
4. Patients ranged 16-65 years old.
5. Patients able to use Visual Analogue Scale-100 for pain intensity measurement.
6. Patients who have given informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant or nursing females.
2. Recidivist alcoholics and/or patients with history of psychiatric disease.
3. Local or systemic infection.
4. Age < 16 and > 65 years.
5. Surgery time more than 60 minutes.
6. Inability to use Visual Analogue Scale-100.
7. Patients consumed opioid medication before surgery.
8. Patients with prosthetic or damaged cardiac valves (s. Potential risks)
9. Patients who are unable to understand the consent form.