Study on acupuncture with thoracic paravertebral block for patients with intercostal nerve transfer and general anesthesia

Objective To analyze the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) in the treatment of pain and complications of the patients with intercostal nerve transfer and general anesthesia. Methods Eighty-eight patients with intercostal nerve transfer were randomized into three groups: 34 cases with patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) just after operation in group A, 28 cases with TPVB given when entering the operation and(PCIA) at the end of operation in group B, and 26 cases with TPVB and(PCIA) combined with acupuncture in group C. Acupuncture analgesia was used in group C with electroacupuncture stimulated for 20 minutes on points of Zhigou, Houxi, Hegu and bilateral Neiguan just the day before operation. Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and the postoperative dosage of analgesic fentanyl were recorded. The indices related with analgesia including β-endorphin (β-EP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and cortisol were detected using ELISA method before and after operation and compared among 3 groups. Results The dosage of fentanyl was lower in group C than those in group A and B significantly (P