Effects of P6 Stimulation on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patients

• Published in: Journal of perianesthesia nursing 2015-04, Vol.30 (2), p.143-150
• Main Authors: Carr, Karen L., Johnson, Faith E., Kenaan, Charbel A., Welton, John M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acupuncture Therapy - instrumentation; Acupuncture Therapy - methods; Adult; cholecystectomy; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic - adverse effects; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Nursing; P6 stimulation; Patient Satisfaction; PONV; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting - epidemiology; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting - prevention & control; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting - therapy; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1089-9472; 1532-8473
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2014.04.005

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remains one of the most common postsurgical complications after anesthesia and surgery. Pericardium 6 (P6) stimulation is believed to prevent PONV and is a potential adjunctive treatment with pharmacologic agents. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of P6 stimulation on PONV occurrence to a control group not receiving the P6 stimulation in sequential female patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystecomy at a community hospital in central Florida between November 2010 and March 2013. This study is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. PONV was measured on admission to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), at 30 and 60 minutes, at discharge from the PACU to home and at two points at home up to 6 hours and between 6 and 24 hours. Of the 56 total patients, those in the P6 group (n = 26) had statistically significant lower incidence of PONV, 0%, vs 14.3% in the control group (n = 27; P