Acupuncture around the time of surgery may reduce acute postoperative pain, according to this 2008 review by researchers at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.

First, the details.

• 15 studies comparing acupuncture with sham control in the management of acute postoperative pain were selected for review.
• Postoperative opioid consumption, postoperative pain, and opioid-related side-effects were reviewed.

And, the results.

• Opioid analgesic consumption was significantly less with acupuncture: -9 mg at 72 hours post surgery.
• Pain intensity following surgery was also significantly decreased in the acupuncture group at 8 and 72 hours vs the control group.
• The acupuncture treatment group had fewer opioid-related side-effects such as nausea, dizziness, sedation, pruritus, and urinary retention.

The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Perioperative acupuncture may be a useful adjunct for acute postoperative pain management.”

6/6/08 21:42 JR