Efficacy of TEAS on Postoperative Pain and Recovery in Patients Undergoing Pancreatectomy

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Postoperative Pain and Recovery in Patients Undergoing Pancreatectomy: a Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to access the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on postoperative pain in patients undergoing pancreatectomy

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), Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (L14) and Waiguan (SJ5) acupoints. The treatment will consist of two phases: a 30-minute stimulation administered 30 minutes before anesthesia induction, and a 30-minute stimulation session once daily on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. 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.

Inclusion Criteria:

Age 18-80 years old; ASA physical status class I - III; Patients scheduled for pancreatectomy.

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; Have a history of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupuncture Stimulation (TEAS) or electroacupuncture treatment in the past or recently；