The purpose of this study is to determine whether electroacupuncture is a effective tool to the postoperative analgesia

The electroacupuncture is a known therapeutic modality with particular application to pain. In this study the investigators investigate the effect of electroacupuncture in condition of surgery, which is a particularly painful situation. The investigators will verify the postoperative analgesia, as patients will receive either electroacupuncture or placebo electroacupuncture.

inclusion criteria:

• healthy male volunteers
• 18-75 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• bilateral or recurrent hernia
• significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, neurological disease
• psychiatric history
• use of opioids until the last month
• body mass index greater than 30
• treatment with beta-blockers
• aged over 75
• previous experience with acupuncture
• hypersensitivity to opioids
• pacemaker patient
• patients being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Patients in the Surgical Clinic with right or left inguinal hernia, residents of Thessaly, Greece.