Objective: To observe the effect of application of acupuncture analgesia enhancing synergists combined with acupuncture anesthesia to pulmonary lobectomy. Methods: Before anesthesia, intramuscular injection of tramadol(100 mg, a weak analgesic) and maxolon (20 mg, for enhancing acupuncture analgesia) and intravenous administration of holoperidol and fentany were given to the patients. 80 cases of patients were randomly divided into acupuncture combined with anesthetic (ACA) group (n=40) and general anesthesia (GA) group (n=40). Acupoints used were Houxi (SI 3), Zhigou (SJ 6), Neiguan (PC 6), Hegu (LI 4), Ximen (PC 4), Yuji (LU 10), Shugu (BL 65), Zulinqi (GB 41), Taichong(LR 3), Taixi (KI 3) and Taibai (SP 3). After insertion of the needles, every acupoint was stimulated by manipulating the needle for 1 min, 3 times altogether. Then intravenous drip of compound fluid of 1% procaine and scoline and endotracheal intubation were conducted. Before pulmonary lobectomy, procaine 0.25% (60 mL) was injected into the local subcutaneous tissues. During operation, the patient was kept basic consciousness. Results: In ACA group, the excellent rate and successful rate were 78% and 100% respectively. In comparison with GA group, the doses of the used anesthetics in ACA group (0.039±0.004 mL/kg/min) were decreased by 45%, being significantly lower than those of GA group (0.071±0.014 mL/kg/min) (P<0.001). Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with anesthetics for pulmonary lobectomy is effective and can lessen patients’ sufferings and thus is an applicable method in clinic.
From February of 1997 to December of 2000, the acupuncture and drug anesthesia group applied manual acupuncture combined with intravenous administration of holoperidol and fentany to pulmonary operation under Vedio thoracoscope. 66 cases were randomly divided into acupuncture combined with intravenous injection of anesthetics (ACIIA) group (n=33) and general anesthesia (GA) group (n=33). Acupoints used were Houxi (SI 3), Zhigou (SJ 6), Neiguan (PC 6), Hegu (LI 4), Ximen (PC 4), Yuji (LU 10), Shugu (BL 65), Zulinqi (GB 41), Taichong(LR 3), Taixi (KI 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and were divided into 3 groups to be taken according to the incision location and the pulmonary operation. After insertion, each needle was manipulated continuously for 1 min, 3 times and 18 min altogether. Before anesthesia induction, intramuscular injection of tramadol (100 mg) and maxolon (20 mg) was given, followed by intravenous drip of compound fluid of 1% procaine and scoline. During operation, the acupuncture operator must follow the operation procedures, for example, when the pulmonary lobectomy was conducted and the incision extension needed, Neiguan (PC 6) and Taichong (LR 3) were stimulated with stronger manipulation. If necessary, fentany 0.1~0.2 mg was administered intravenously. Results showed that in ACIIA group, good anesthetic effect was found in 25 cases (78.8%) and the successful rate was 100%. In comparison with general anesthesia control group, the dose of dolantin compound liquid used was decreased by 43.5% per kilogram per minute.