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AMBULATORY ANESTHESIA

Korean Hand Acupressure Reduces Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting After Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery

University Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Andreas Schlager, MD, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Anichstraße 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Address e-mail to andreas.schlager{at}uibk.ac.at

To investigate the effectiveness of prophylactic Korean hand acupressure in the prevention of postoperative vomiting in women scheduled for minor gynecological laparoscopic surgery, we conducted a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study. In one group (n = 40), acupressure was performed 30 min before the induction of anesthesia by using special acupressure seeds, which were fixed onto the Korean hand acupuncture point K-K9 and remained there for at least 24 h. The second group (n = 40) functioned as the Placebo group. The treatment groups did not differ with regard to demographics, surgical procedure, or anesthetic administered. In the Acupressure group, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly less (40% and 22.5%) than in the Placebo group (70% and 50%). We conclude that Korean hand acupressure of the acupuncture point K-K9 is an effective method for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in women after minor gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

IMPLICATIONS: This randomized study was performed to investigate the antiemetic effect of the Korean hand acupuncture point K-K9. Acupressure of K-K9 reduces the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in female patients after minor gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

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