Effects of Press Needling combined with general anesthesia on postoperative analgesia in thoracoscopic pulmonary resection for lung cancer: A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the effects of press needle therapy on postoperative analgesia and other relevant complications in patients undergoing thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.

Design

randomized, single-blind, controlled trial

Setting

Teaching hospitals affiliated with universities.

Interventions

Eighty-six patients were randomized into: the Acu group (press-needle group) and the control group

Main outcome measures

Pain levels 24, 48, and three months after surgery were measured using the numeric rating scale (NRS). Perioperative hemodynamics, total and effective pressing numbers of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA), and incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded. Peripheral blood samples were collected to measure the levels of inflammatory mediators

Results

Acu group had significantly lower NRS scores at 24 and 48 h after operation (NRS scores on movement at 24 h after surgery: Acu vs. Control, 3 (2,3) vs. 3 (3,5), Z = −3.393, P < 0.01 and NRS scores on movement at 48 h after surgery: 2 (1,3) vs. 3 (2,5), Z = −3.641, P < 0.01), lower number of PCIA attempts and effective rates (mean total pressing numbers: 4(2,8) vs. 6(3,19), Z = −1.994, P = 0.046 and mean effective pressing numbers: 3(2,8) vs. 6(3,16), Z = −2.116, P = 0.034). The Acu group had significantly reduced IL-1 (14.52 ± 3.84 vs. 16.36 ± 3.30, mean difference (MD): − 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI): − 3.46, − 0.23, P = 0.026), HIF-1α (10.15 ± 1.71 vs. 10.96 ± 1.73, MD: −0.81, 95% CI: −1.59, −0.04, P = 0.040) and the incidence of pulmonary complications after surgery.

Conclusion

Press needles are a non-invasive and feasible adjunctive intervention for postoperative analgesic management in patients undergoing thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.