Does auricular acupuncture reduce postoperative vomiting after cholecystectomy?

PURPOSE: To find the efficacy of auricular acupuncture for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred (100) female patients undergoing transabdominal cholecystectomy were randomly allocated to two groups of 50 (auricular acupuncture treatment group and nontreatment group) in order to test the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was determined using an unpaired t-test for age, weight, height, and duration of anesthesia; a chi-square test was used to analyze the incidence of vomiting. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age, weight, height, or duration of anesthesia among the two groups of patients. There was a significant difference between the control and auricular acupuncture treatment groups in the incidence of vomiting 24 hours after surgery (66% and 0%, respectively, p < 0.01). No noteworthy side effects from treatment were observed. CONCLUSION: Auricular acupuncture is effective in reducing vomiting following transabdominal cholecystectomy in female patients.