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- Title
Electrical stimulation of the vestibular system prevents postoperative nausea and vomiting.
- Authors
Pusch, F.; Freitag, H.; Goll, V.; Wildling, E.; Hoerauf, K.; Obwegeser, R.; Weinstabl, C.
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>Electrical stimulation of the vestibular system may prevent nausea and vomiting. We studied the influence of transcutaneous impulse stimulation in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following gynaecological surgery.<bold>Methods: </bold>In this randomised study 70 women undergoing elective gynaecological surgery under general anaesthesia were assigned to receive either the activated (stimulation group) or the inactivated (non-stimulation group) impulse stimulator. The stimulator comprises the stimulator itself, two negative electrodes on a headset applied over both mastoid processes and a nuchal positive electrode. The device yielded a pulse frequency of 5 Hz direct current, individually adjustable between 0.5 and 4 mA. A trapezoid stimulation of 50 ms was applied. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness and the amount of antiemetic drugs used were assessed during the first 4 h postoperatively.<bold>Results: </bold>Lower postoperative nausea scores with a lower incidence of vomiting and postoperative dizziness were found in the stimulation group. A lower amount of antiemetic drugs was needed in the stimulation group when compared to the non-stimulation group (P<0.01 between groups).<bold>Conclusion: </bold>This study suggests that electrical stimulation of the vestibular system may be useful in prevention of PONV.
- Subjects
POSTOPERATIVE nausea &; vomiting; TRANSCUTANEOUS electrical nerve stimulation; GYNECOLOGIC surgery; PREVENTION
- Publication
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 2000, Vol 44, Issue 9, p1145
- ISSN
0001-5172
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1034/j.1399-6576.2000.440919.x