title: Evaluation of capsaicin ointment at the Korean hand acupressure point K-D2 for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
abstract: The K-D2 point is the Korean hand acupressure point in Koryo Hand Therapy for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. We evaluated the efficacy of capsaicin ointment at the K-D2 point in 186 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a randomised, prospective, double-blind and placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomised to have either placebo ointment or capsaicin ointment applied to the K-D2 point of both hands 1 h before surgery under standardised anaesthesia. The ointment was removed 8 h later. Postoperative nausea and vomiting was evaluated 6 and 24 h following surgery. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was lower in the capsaicin group, with an absolute risk reduction (ARR) of 21%, a relative risk reduction (RRR) of 50% and a number-needed-to-treat (NNT) of 5 at 0-6 h (p = 0.001), and an ARR of 11%, a RRR of 85% and a NNT of 9 at 6-24 h (p = 0.003). The need for rescue anti-emetic treatment was also lower at 0-6 h (3 (3%) vs 11 (12%); p = 0.04) and at 6-24 h (5 (5%) vs 0; p = 0.02).
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226 014, India. aagarwal@sgpgi.ac.in
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhiraaj
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tandon
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pawar
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D009824:Ointments; D002211:Capsaicin