Prevention of PONV by acustimulation with capsicum plaster is comparable to ondansetron after middle ear surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of stimulation of P6 acupoint with capsicum plaster in comparison with iv ondansetron for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).


METHODS
120 patients of either sex, ASA I-II, undergoing elective middle ear surgeries under general anesthesia were included in this randomized, prospective, double-blinded and placebo-controlled study. The anesthetic technique was standardized. Patients were divided into three groups. Group I was the control group. Capsicum plaster (1 x 1 cm) was affixed at the P6 acupoint on both forearms 30 min before induction of anesthesia in patients of Group II. Patients of Groups I and III received an inactive adhesive plaster at the same site. Ondansetron 4 mg iv was given to patients of Group III at the end of surgery and the rest of the patients received a placebo. The plasters were removed six hours after transferring the patients to the postoperative unit. Criteria were fixed for the administration of rescue antiemetics (ondansetron 4 mg iv). PONV and the requirement for rescue antiemetics were recorded by a blinded observer.


RESULTS
The incidence of PONV and the requirement for rescue antiemetics were significantly lower in both the acustimulation and ondansetron groups at six hours. At 24 hr there was a reduction in the requirement for rescue medication in the ondansetron group.


CONCLUSIONS
Stimulation of the P6 acupoint with capsicum plaster is an effective method for prevention of PONV after middle ear surgery and its efficacy is comparable to ondansetron for the first six hours after surgery.
Misra
Mahender Nath
MN
Department of Anesthesiology, MLN Medical College and Associated Hospitals, Allahabad, India.
Pullani
Asok Jayaraj
AJ
Mohamed
Zubair Umer
ZU
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D002212:Capsicum; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D017294:Ondansetron