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ANALGESIA

The Analgesic Effects of Capsicum Plaster at the Zusanli Point After Abdominal Hysterectomy

From the Department of Anesthesiology, Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Address correspondence to Kyo Sang Kim, MD, PhD, Department of Anesthesiology, Hanyang University Hospital, #17 Haengdang dong, Sungdong gu, Seoul 133-792, Korea. Address e-mail to kimks{at}hanyang.ac.kr.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has been used to supplement opioid analgesics for postoperative pain control. We designed this double-blind, sham-controlled study to assess the effectiveness of capsicum plaster (PAS) at Zusanli (ST-36) acupoints on postoperative opioid analgesic requirement, side effects, and recovery profile.

METHODS: Ninety women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy were randomly assigned to 3 treatment regimens (n = 30 each): group Zusanli = PAS at Zusanli acupoints, group sham = PAS at the nonacupoints on the shoulders, and group control = placebo tape at Zusanli acupoints. The PAS was applied before induction of anesthesia and maintained for 8 h per day for 3 postoperative days.

RESULTS: The total amount of morphine administered in the first 24 h after the operation was significantly decreased in group Zusanli (31.5 ± 6.8 mL) compared with groups control (44.3 ± 10.1 mL) and sham (44.6 ± 10.4 mL) (P < 0.01). The incidence of postoperative side effects and the use of rescue antiemetics during the 72 h after surgery were significantly reduced in group Zusanli compared with other groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: PAS at Zusanli points decreased the postoperative opioid requirement and opioid-related side effects of patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy.

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