Korean J Anesthesiol.  2018 Apr;71(2):149-156. 10.4097/kjae.2018.71.2.149.

Effects of high-frequency, high-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation versus intravenous opioids for pain relief after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled study

• Platon B
• Mannheimer C
• Andréll P

• KMID: 2411223
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2018.71.2.149

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to compare the pain relieving effect and the time spent in the recovery unit after treatment with high frequency, high-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or intravenous (IV) opioids after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery.
METHODS
All patients who postoperatively reported visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score ≥ 3 were consecutively included in the study. The TENS treatment was given with a stimulus intensity between 40-60 mA during 1 minute, repeated once if insufficient pain relief. In the opioid group, a maximum dose of 10 mg morphine was given IV. If the patient reported insufficient pain relief (VAS ≥ 3) on the assigned treatment, the patient crossed over to the other treatment group.
RESULTS
Ninety-three women were randomized to TENS (n = 47) or IV opioids (n = 46). Both groups reported significant pain relief at leave from the recovery unit (TENS group: VAS 5.4 to 1.0, P < 0.001; IV opioid group: VAS 5.2 to 1.1, P < 0.001) with no differences between the groups. When only responders, i.e. patients with VAS < 3 after assigned treatment, were compared the TENS responders spent significantly shorter time in the recovery unit (90 vs. 122 minutes, P = 0.008) compared to the responders in the opioid group.
CONCLUSIONS
TENS and IV opioids are both effective treatments for pain relief after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. TENS seems to be preferable for first choice of treatment as the treatment is associated with shorter time spent in recovery unit if the patient responds to the treatment.

Keyword

Gynecologic; Laparoscopy; Opioid; Pain; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

MeSH Terms

Analgesics, Opioid*
Female
Humans
Laparoscopy*
Morphine
Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation*
Analgesics, Opioid
Morphine