Effect of acupuncture on quality of recovery during early period after gynecological laparoscopic surgery: Quality of Recovery-40 questionnaire

Objective To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the quality of recovery during the early period after gynecological laparoscopic surgery using the Quality of Recovery-40 questionnaire(QoR-40). Methods Sixty patients, aged 20-60 yr, with body mass index of 18.5-28.0 kg/m2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status ⅠorⅡ, scheduled for elective gynecological laparoscopic surgery, were equally and randomly divided into either control group(group C)or acupuncture group(group Acu)using a random number table.Bilateral Neiguan(PC6)and Hegu(L14)acupoints were stimulated for 30 min starting from the time point before skin incision and immediately after the end of surgery.The quality of recovery was assessed using the QoR-40 on 1 day before surgery, and at 24 and 48 h after surgery.The patient's cognitive function was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination.The requirement for rescue analgesics was recorded.The occurrence of nausea and vomiting was also recorded. Results Compared with group C, the global QoR-40 and Mini-Mental State Examination scores were significantly increased, and the incidence of nausea and vomiting and requirement for rescue analgesics were decreased at 24 and 48 h after surgery in group Acu(P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture can improve the quality of recovery during the early period after gynecological laparoscopic surgery using the QoR-40. Key words: Acupuncture; Laparoscopy; Anesthesia recovery period