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In a randomized, case-control study involving 30 patients who underwent a median sternotomy for coronary artery bypass graft, treatment with acupuncture (electroacupuncture) in addition to pharmacologic analgesia, was found to statistically significantly reduce pain and need for both opioid and non-opioid medication (pethidine hydrochloride and metamizole sodium) during the first 7 days post-surgery, as compared to subjects treated with pharmacologic analgesia alone. In addition, in the acupuncture group, post-operative forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity value was higher than pre-operative levels. One patient in each group experienced post-operative complications (atelectasia). These results add to the existing body of evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of perioperative treatment with acupuncture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]