We studied the effect of P6 acupressure on 46 women undergoing laparotomy for major gynaecological surgery who received patient-controlled analgesia. Half the patients received acupressure at the P6 site, the remainder received acupressure at a “sham” site. There was a reduction in the requests for anti-emetic therapy in the group receiving P6 acupressure but there was no difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting. There was no difference in total morphine consumption between the two groups.
FryE.N.J.Acupressure and post-operative vomiting (letter). Anaesthesia1986; 41: 661–662.
2.
DundeeJ.W., GhalyR.G., BillK.M., ChestnutW.M., FitzpatrickK.T.J., LynasA.G.A.Effect of stimulation of the P6 anti-emetic point on post-operative nausea and vomiting. Br J Anaesth1989; 63: 612–618.
3.
WatchaM.F., WhiteP.F.Post-operative nausea and vomiting: its aetiology, treatment and prevention. Anesthesiology1992; 77: 162–184.
4.
WhiteP.F.Use of patient controlled analgesia for management of acute pain. JAMA1988; 259: 243–247.
5.
YentisS.M., BissonnetteB.P6 acupressure and post operative vomiting after tonsillectomy in children. Br J Anaesth1991; 67: 779–780.
6.
DundeeJ.W., MilliganK.R.Acupuncture as an anti-emetic. Br Med J1988; 296: 135.
7.
DundeeJ.W., GhalyR.G., FitzpatrickK.T.J., AbramW.P., LynchG.A.Acupuncture prophylaxis of cancer chemotherapy-induced sickness. J Royal Soc Med1988; 82: 268–271.