Auricular Acupuncture as Part of Multimodal Analgesia After Lower Leg Fracture

Auricular Acupuncture As Part Of A Multimodal Analgesic Regimen For Reduction Of Opioid Analgesic Use After Surgery To Repair Lower Leg Fractures- A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose is to find out if incorporation of an intraoperative electro auricular acupuncture protocol when added to a standard multimodal analgesic regimen for patients undergoing surgery to repair lower leg fracture under spinal anesthesia will help reduce postoperative opioid use.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient ages 18-64
2. American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status I, II or III
3. Inpatients scheduled to undergo ankle ORIF at Harris Health System Ben Taub Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Renal dysfunction (Serum Cr > 1.2) - excluded due to potential altered metabolism of anesthetic and perioperative medications
2. Allergy to any of the standard anesthetic agents
3. Patient inability to properly communicate with investigators (language barrier, dementia, delirium, psychiatric disorder)
4. Patient or surgeon refusal