Perioperative Acupuncture and Related Techniques

Perioperative Acupuncture and Related Techniques
2005 May
Grigory V. Chernyak, M.D.* and Daniel I. Sessler, M.D.‹
Anesthesiology
PubMed Central

Research Associate, OUTCOMES RESEARCHÙ Institute, University of Louisville.

‹Vice Dean for Research and Associate Vice President for Health Affairs, Director OUTCOMES RESEARCHÙ Institute, and Interim Chair and Lolita & Samuel Weakley Distinguished Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Louisville.

Address correspondence to Daniel I. Sessler, M.D.: OUTCOMES RESEARCHÙ Institute, 501 East Broadway, Suite 210, Louisville, KY, 40202. Telephone: 502-852-2600. Fax: 502-852-2610. E-mail: sessler@louisville.edu. On the world wide web: http://www.or.org,

Abstract

Acupuncture and related techniques are increasingly practiced in conventional medical settings, and the number of patients willing to use these techniques is increasing. Despite more than 30 years of research, the exact mechanism of action and efficacy of acupuncture have not been established. Furthermore, most aspects of acupuncture have yet to be adequately tested. There thus remains considerable controversy about the role of acupuncture in clinical medicine.
Acupuncture apparently does not reduce volatile anesthetic requirement by a clinically important amount. However, preoperative sedation seems to be a promising application of acupuncture in perioperative settings. Acupuncture may be effective for postoperative pain relief but requires a high level of expertise by the acupuncture practitioner. Acupuncture and related techniques can be used for treatment and prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting in routine clinical practice in combination with, or as an alternative to, conventional antiemetics when administered before induction of general anesthesia.

Summary Statement: The use of acupuncture for perioperative analgesia, nausea and vomiting, sedation, anesthesia, and complications is reviewed.

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