Postoperative analgesia by percutaneous electrical stimulation in gynecology and obstetrics

Percutaneous electrical stimulation (PES) for relief of acute postoperative pain was applied in 10 patients after cesarean section and in 20 women who had undergone various gynecological operations. Thirty other women, subjected to identical surgical interventions, served as controls. In the latter group, the electrodes were attached to a nonfunctioning apparatus. In all patients, including the controls, the two electrodes were introduced intradermally, one on each side of the incision. Implantation was carried out at the end of the surgical procedure while the patient was still anesthetized, and stimulation was commenced immediately. The electrical stimulation was applied continuously for 1 to 3 postoperative days. The generation of pulses was perceived by the patients as a tingling sensation. Complete pain relief was obtained in 40% of the patients treated with PES, whilst in 27% the pain was markedly diminished. Postoperative analgesic medication in this group was reduced by 50-80% as compared to the analgesic requirements in the control group. Other beneficial effects observed in the treated patients included early ambulation, early peristalsis, postpartum uterine contractions and absence of respiratory complications.