Application Effects of Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture in Patients With Different Types of Pain Following Perianal Surgery

Application of Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture in Patients With Different Types of Pain Following Perianal Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

This study is a prospective clinical observation designed to evaluate the analgesic effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture in patients with different types of pain after perianal surgery, as well as its applicability. A total of 60 eligible postoperative patients were enrolled, with inclusion criteria including age 18-75 years, postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score ≥4, clear consciousness, and signed informed consent. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, history of needle fainting, skin lesions at the wrist or ankle, severe systemic diseases, inability to cooperate with follow-up, or participation in other clinical trials. Patients were divided into two groups according to the nature of pain: Group A (sphincter spasm pain, n=30) and Group B (acute incisional pain, n=30). All patients received routine postoperative care (including intravenous flurbiprofen infusion, traditional Chinese medicine soaking, and pain education), and wrist-ankle acupuncture was administered when pain intensity (Verbal Rating Scale, VRS) reached ≥4. The acupuncture method involved superficial subcutaneous insertion in zones 1 and 6 of both lower limbs using disposable sterile needles (0.25 mm × 25 mm). Needles were retained for 0.5-1 hour, once daily, with the treatment course adjusted based on symptom relief. If the VAS score remained ≥4 at 30 minutes post-treatment, adjunctive analgesic medication was administered as prescribed. Observation indicators included postoperative VRS scores, reduction in VAS scores at 5 and 30 minutes after wrist-ankle acupuncture treatment, frequency of analgesic medication use within the first 3 postoperative days, and the Clinical Postoperative Urinary Retention (POUR) score at 24 hours post-surgery. By comparing data between the two groups, the analgesic effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture was analyzed, and the influence of postoperative pain on the occurrence of urinary retention was explored.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged between 18 and 75 years;
• Patients who underwent perianal surgery;
• Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score ≥4;
• Clear consciousness with the ability to articulate their sensations;
• Voluntary participation with signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or lactating patients;
• Patients with a history of needle fainting or needle phobia;
• Patients with incomplete skin integrity at the wrist or ankle;
• Patients with comorbid systemic diseases, such as cardiac insufficiency or coagulation disorders;
• Patients unable to cooperate with follow-up;
• Patients currently participating in other clinical trials that may influence the outcomes of this study.