Efficacy of acupoint massage combined with acupoint application on arterial blood gas in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

To explore efficacy of acupoint massage combined with acupoint application on arterial blood gas and postoperative complications for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in general anesthesia condition were randomly enrolled from local hospital into control group and experimental group. Four acupuncture points were prepared for acupoint massage and acupoint application, including bilateral Hegu acupoint (LI4), Neiguan Point (PC6), Zusanli Point (ST36) and Tanzhong acupoint (CV17). All patients in experimental group were treated with point acupressure treatment combined with acupoint application before LC, while control group directly receive LC surgery. The peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), end-tidal CO2 pressure (PETCO2), oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pH were examined at multiple time points during LC surgery. Related postoperative complications were documented for further analysis. All data were analyzed to assess efficacy of acupoint massage combined with acupoint application on arterial blood gas. There is no difference in baseline condition between experimental group and control group. Compared with control group, PetCO2 and SpO2 in experimental group were significantly increased while PIP was decreased. PH in experimental group ranged in a more stable domain. Hypercapnia and deep venous thrombosis were mitigated in experimental group compared with control group. Moreover, multiple pneumoperitoneum-related complications were alleviated after combined treatment, including pain and frequency of nausea and vomiting. Acupoint massage combined with acupoint application ameliorated related postoperative complications, and reduced side events of LC surgery via improving carbon dioxide metabolism.