title: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, prospective, controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gazi University Medical School Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  40 ASA physical status I-II patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group I received TENS (stimulation group), whereas group II served as the control group (nonstimulation group). In group I, one electrode was applied to the hairless skin on the neck as anode, and the other 2 (electrodes) were applied to the mastoid area. The stimulator at a frequency of 5 Hz, 50 milliseconds, with a current density of 0.5 to 4 mA was applied on the trapezoid area for 6 hours to all patients postoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients in both groups were evaluated for side effects, antiemetic effects, and analgesic and antiemetic need for 24 hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative nausea and vomiting, frequency of dizziness, additional antiemetic and analgesic need, and PONV scores were lower in group I than group II.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electrical stimulation of the vestibular system may be useful in the prevention of PONV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara 06500, Turkey. nedimcekmen@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nedim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cekmen
authors.forename: Bülent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Salman
authors.forename: Zelal
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Keles
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aslan
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akcabay
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D008787:Metoclopramide