Evaluation of capsaicin ointment at the Korean hand acupressure point K‐D2 for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting

Summary The K‐D2 point is the Korean hand acupressure point in Koryo Hand Therapy for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. We evaluated the efficacy of capsaicin ointment at the K‐D2 point in 186 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a randomised, prospective, double‐blind and placebo‐controlled study. Patients were randomised to have either placebo ointment or capsaicin ointment applied to the K‐D2 point of both hands 1 h before surgery under standardised anaesthesia. The ointment was removed 8 h later. Postoperative nausea and vomiting was evaluated 6 and 24 h following surgery. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was lower in the capsaicin group, with an absolute risk reduction (ARR) of 21%, a relative risk reduction (RRR) of 50% and a number‐needed‐to‐treat (NNT) of 5 at 0–6 h (p = 0.001), and an ARR of 11%, a RRR of 85% and a NNT of 9 at 6–24 h (p = 0.003). The need for rescue anti‐emetic treatment was also lower at 0–6 h (3 (3%) vs 11 (12%); p = 0.04) and at 6–24 h (5 (5%) vs 0; p = 0.02).