Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing craniotomy: A randomized controlled trial

The incidence of nausea and vomiting following craniotomy is high, and pericardium 6 (P6; Neiguan) acupoint stimulation is an important strategy for treating postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Here, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at P6 as an adjunct to antiemetic drugs to prevent PONV after craniotomy. This randomized placebo-controlled trial enrolled 120 patients scheduled for craniotomy. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned to a TEAS or sham TEAS group. The incidence of PONV, pain score, and postoperative remedial treatment with antiemetics and analgesics at 0–2, 2–6, and 6–24 h after craniotomy were assessed. The patient characteristics did not significantly differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). During 0–2 and 6–24 h after craniotomy, the incidence of vomiting was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). During 2–6 h, the incidence of vomiting was higher in the sham TEAS group than in the TEAS group (29.3 % vs. 14.0 %, P = 0.047). During 0–2 and 2–6 h, the pain scores did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). During 6–24 h after craniotomy, the pain score was significantly higher in the sham TEAS group than in the TEAS group (P = 0.001). The degree of nausea and proportion of patients requiring antiemetic drugs were not significantly different between the two groups in each period (P > 0.05). TEAS at P6 may reduce vomiting incidence and pain scores following craniotomy.