Evaluating efficacy and feasibility of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for postoperative pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A randomized pilot trial.
BACKGROUND
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been applied for pain relief after surgical procedures. This study evaluated whether TENS after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), in addition to opioid administration, decreased postoperative pain and pain medication use.


METHODS
In a controlled trial, 56 patients scheduled to undergo VATS were randomly assigned to TENS plus opioids (Group 1) or opioids alone (Group 2) for 48 h.


RESULTS
Forty patients completed the study. Pain scores and use of oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) were not significantly different between the groups during the first and second 24 h. A decreased use of OMEs between the first and second 24 h was significant for Group 1 (P = .005) but not for Group 2 (P = .11); a decreased use of OMEs between groups was not significant (P = .35).


CONCLUSIONS
A larger, well-powered clinical trial is indicated to evaluate the effects of TENS for pain control after a VATS procedure. Clinical Trial No.: NCT01046695.
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: engen.deborah@mayo.edu.
Deborah J
DJ
Engen
Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: carns.paul@mayo.edu.
Paul E
PE
Carns
Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: allen.mark@mayo.edu.
Mark S
MS
Allen
Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: bauer.brent@mayo.edu.
Brent A
BA
Bauer
Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: loehrer.laura@mayo.edu.
Laura L
LL
Loehrer
Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: cha@mayo.edu.
Stephen S
SS
Cha
Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: chartrand.christine@mayo.edu.
Christine M
CM
Chartrand
Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: eggler.eric@mayo.edu.
Eric J
EJ
Eggler
Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: cutshall.susanne@mayo.edu.
Susanne M
SM
Cutshall
Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: wahnerroedler.dietlind@mayo.edu.
Dietlind L
DL
Wahner-Roedler
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
Postoperative pain; TENS; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; VATS; Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery