[Observation on the analgesic effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for breast radical carcinoma operation]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the analgesic effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in assisting general anesthesia (GA) for radical operation of breast carcinoma so as to explore its clinical application value. METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for radical operations of the breast carcinoma were randomly and equally divided into GA group and TEAS+ GA group. For GA, Propofol [4.5 microg/mL, target concentration; (3.0 +/- 0.5) microg/mL during operation] was used in combination with Sufentanil (0.25 microg/kg) and Cis-atracurium amine (0.2 mg/kg). TEAS (5-10 mA, 2 Hz/100 Hz) was applied to Hegu (LI 4)-Laogong (PC 8) and Neiguan (PC 6)-Waiguan (SJ 5) on the affected side of the body for 30 min. Heart rate (HR), mean aterial pressure (MAP), tube removing time and postoperative complications were recorded. Plasma beta-endorphin content was assayed by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: After anesthesia, patients with reduction in MAP in GA group were significantly more than those in TEAS+GA group (P < 0.05), and their HR decreased remarkably (P < 0.05). After tracheal intubation, MAP in TEAS+GA group kept relatively stable, which was superior to that of GA group (P < 0.05). In comparison with GA group, the patients\' analepsia time and tube withdrawal time of TEAS+ GA group were significantly shorter; and the dosage of analgesics of TEAS+GA group was significantly smaller than that of GA group (P < 0.05). Patients with complications of pain, restlessness, drowsiness, nausea and vomitting were obviously fewer in TEAS + GA group than those in GA group. Compared with GA group, plasma beta-endorphin content in TEAS+GA group increased considerably 30 min after TEAS, 5 min after skin-incision and after operation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TEAS combined with general anesthesia for breast radical carcinoma operation can help keep a stable blood pressure during surgery, reduce the dosage of analgesics and strengthen pain relief. The analgesic effect of TEAS may be related to its effect in up-regulating plasma beta-endorphin level.