Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Postoperative Dizziness in Hemifacial Spasm Patients

The Effect of Prevention and Treatment of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Postoperative Dizziness in Patients With Hemifacial Spasm Undergoing Microvascular Decompression Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To observe the prevention and treatment effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative dizziness in patients with hemifacial spasm undergoing microvascular decompression surgery, and its possible mechanisms.

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is mainly caused by vascular compression on the roots of the VII cranial nerves from the brain stem. Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the exact surgical method for the treatment of HFS, but the incidence of dizziness and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after MVD is extremely high. Despite the use of dual antiemetic therapy during the operation, the incidence of PONV within 24 hours after MVD is still as high as 66.7%. Medication alone has limited effects on dizziness and PONV treatment after MVD. Meta-analysis shows that transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is associated with the reduction of post-emetic remedies and the incidence of dizziness after general anesthesia, and it can be integrated into the multi-modal therapy of PONV. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to observe the prevention and treatment effect of TEAS on postoperative dizziness in patients with hemifacial spasm undergoing microvascular decompression surgery, and explore its possible mechanisms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status: I-III
• Body mass index (BMI): 18-30
• Diagnosed of hemifacial spasm
• Undergoing microvascular decompression surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or lactating women
• Poorly controlled hypertension or poorly controlled diabetes, severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and mental illness
• Cardiac pacemakers
• Scars on bilateral Neiguan acupoints or on the mastoid area
• Upper limb nerve injury
• Raynaud's syndrome
• Motion sickness or PONV history
• Eye diseases (glaucoma, cataracts, eye trauma, etc.) or previous eye surgery
• Participate in other clinical trials