Efficacy of TEAS on Chronic Pain and Survival in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Chronic Pain and Survival in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy: a Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is a further observation and follow-up of the patients enrolled in the registration number NCT06341270 to further evaluate the efficacy of TEAS on postoperative chronic pain, quality of life and survival rate in patients undergoing hepatectomy.

This study is a further observation and follow-up of the patients enrolled in the registration number NCT06341270 to further evaluate the efficacy of TEAS on postoperative chronic pain and survival in patients undergoing hepatectomy. Patients who meet the enrollment criteria will be randomized 1:1 to either the transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS）or the sham groups. In the TEAS group, the acupoints are bilateral neiguan (PC6), Hegu (L14), Yanglingquan (GB34), Zusanli (ST 36) and Renying (ST9) acupoints. Patients will receive TEAS 30 min before anesthesia until being discharged from the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU). The same treatment for 30 min will be performed on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days after surgery. The stimulation intensity will be adjusted in accordance with the maximal level tolerated by each patient. Patients in the sham group will receive electrode attachment but without stimulation. Follow-up after discharge includes chronic pain, the impact of chronic pain on quality of life, the relapse-free survival, overall survival at 3 months and 6 months postoperatively.

Inclusion Criteria:

Age 18-80 years old; ASA physical status classⅠ-Ⅲ; Patients scheduled for elective hepatectomy.

Exclusion Criteria:

Have a history of epilepsy; Rash or local infection over the acupoint stimulation skin area; Pregnancy or breastfeeding; Mental retardation, psychiatric, or neurological disease; Inability to comprehend the numeric rating scale (NRS); Implantation of a cardiac pacemaker, cardioverter, or defibrillator; Chronic opioid use; Metastases in other organs.