TEAS Reduces Remifentanil Consumption

Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Remifentanil Consumption and Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Radical Mastectomy

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) has been shown to decrease the need of opioids including remifentanil during anaesthesia. However, it is not clear whether combination of two or more acupoints could induce stronger analgesia. Moreover, evidence for the long-term effect of TEAS has been limited. The present study was to compare the short-term and long-term effect on pain of dual-acupoint and single-acupoint TEAS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 to 65 yrs
• body mass index (BMI) of 18 to 30 kg/m2
• elective radical mastectomy under general anaesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

• contradictions to TEAS
• difficulties in communication
• histories of general anaesthesia
• drug or alcohol abuse or addiction
• cardiac dysfunction or severe hypertension
• confirmed hepatic dysfunction and renal impairment
• the participants recruited into other clinical trials during last three months