Efficacy of electroacupuncture in preventing nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy: A prospective randomized controlled trial

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is regarded as a serious concern after thyroidectomy. Electroacupuncture (EA) shows potential to reduce general anesthesia-related side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of EA in preventing PONV that commonly occurs in patients after thyroidectomy. Methods: This study was a prospective randomized controlled trial with a two-arm, parallel-group structure. Sixty-four participants were randomly assigned to the acupuncture (n=35) or control (n=29) group. Patients in the acupuncture group received EA and intradermal press needles at the ST36 and PC6 positions. The primary endpoint was the incidence and severity of PONV, and secondary endpoints were the length of hospital stay, pain severity, and postoperative in-hospital morbidity.Results: The total incidence of PONV was 40.6% (26/64). There was no difference in the incidence of PONV between the control (10/29, 34.5%) and acupuncture (16/35, 45.7%) groups (p = 0.362). Severity of PONV, as measured by VAS, was not different between the groups (p = 0.842). Length of hospitalization and postoperative complications were not different between the groups.Conclusion: In this randomized controlled trial, EA treatment after thyroidectomy is safe and comparable to conventional anti-emetic therapy. Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service, KCT0001782. Registered on 26 January 2016.