The Efficacy of P6 Acupressure With Sea-Band in Reducing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy

Abstract

Unilateral P6 acupressure with Sea-Band applied at the end of surgery together with prophylactic ondansetron did not significantly reduce PONV or the need for rescue antiemetics in patients undergoing craniotomy. Our study confirmed that PONV is a common issue after craniotomy, especially after infratentorial surgery.

Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point PC6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting

“…One participant in the acupressure group withdrew from a trial due to swelling and erythema of the wrist (Turgut 2007). The incidence of redness, tenderness, paraesthesia and swelling was similar between active and sham acupressure wristband groups (Majholm 2011; Nilsson 2015). One participant complained of mild irritation at the site of capsicum plaster application (Misra 2005).…”

“…There were 10 types of PC6 acupoint stimulation: needle acupuncture (Dundee 1986; Dundee 1989; Sharma 2007; Streitberger 2004; Yentis 1992); infiltration of dextrose (Ravi 2010; Tavlan 1996; Wang 2002; Yang 1993) or with droperidol (Zhu 2010); semipermanent needles (Andrzejowski 1996); electrical stimulation of needles (Amir 2007; Dundee 1989; El-Deeb 2011; Gan 2004; Ho 1990; Rusy 2002); transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (Fassoulaki 1993; Ho 1990), transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (Habib 2006; Wang 2010; Xu 2012), laser stimulation (Butkovic 2005; Schlager 1998); acu-stimulation device (Ertas 2015; Frey 2009a; Frey 2009b; Kim 2004; White 2002; Zárate 2001); and acupressure (Adib-Hajbaghery 2013; Agarwal 2000; Agarwal 2002; Alkaissi 1999; Alkaissi 2002; Allen 1994; Barsoum 1990; Direkvand-Moghadam 2013; Duggal 1998; Ebrahim Soltani 2010; Ferrara-Love 1996; Gieron 1993; Harmon 1999; Harmon 2000; Ho 1996; Iqbal 2012; Klein 2004; Lewis 1991; Majholm 2011; Nilsson 2015; Sadighha 2008; Samad 2003; Schultz 2003; Turgut 2007; White 2012). Three studies used conventional peripheral nerve stimulation (Arnberger 2007; Kim 2011; Liu 2008).…”

“…Two trials had high risk of selection bias from inadequate sequence generation (Ferrara-Love 1996; Sadighha 2008). Eight of the 59 trials reported adequate allocation concealment (Arnberger 2007; Ertas 2015; Gan 2004; Majholm 2011; Nilsson 2015; Schultz 2003; Streitberger 2004; Xu 2012). In 49 trials the allocation concealment was unclear, and in two trials (Ferrara-Love 1996; Sadighha 2008) it was inadequate.…”

Contemporary acupressure therapy: Adroit cure for painless recovery of therapeutic ailments

“…Acupressure fails to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting 246, 247. Acupressure devices like Sea-Band applied to activate P6 point acupressure together with prophylactic ondensetron is not enough to reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting 248 . Wristbands exhibited variable results in controlling the post-operative indications after urological endoscopic surgery 249 .…”

PC6 Acupressure Effectiveness in Patients with Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting after Craniotomy

“…Nilsson et al [1] conducted a study on the efficacy of neiguan acupoints acupressure with sea-band in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing craniotomy. In this letter, we appreciate their study design and application of device.…”