EFFECT OF P6 ACUPRESSURE ON POSTOPERATIVE VOMITING IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING OUTPATIENT STRABISMUS CORRECTION

P6 acupressure did not reduce the incidence of postoperative vomiting in children undergoing strabismus surgery, and pressure at the P6 (Neikuan) point was not an antiemetic.

Abstract

A prospective, double-blind study was conducted to compare the effect of pressure at the P6 (Neikuan) point with placebo as an antiemetic in children. Sixty-six patients, ages 3-12 yr, undergoing outpatient surgery for correction of strabismus, were allocated randomly to receive either bilateral P6 acupressure or placebo during the perioperative period. The study was designed to detect a 50% difference in the incidence of postoperative vomiting between the two groups, with a 90% power of achieving a statistically significant result at the 5% level (two-tailed). The incidence of postoperative vomiting for the placebo group was 58% before discharge from hospital, 73% at home and 82% in the first 24 h after surgery. The corresponding results for the acupressure group were 58% before discharge, 71% at home and 94% in the first 24 h. These differences were not significant; P6 acupressure did not reduce the incidence of postoperative vomiting in children undergoing strabismus surgery.