HYSTERECTOMY WITH ACUPUNCTURE ANESTHESIA

Hu Shul.tn, Ma Lihua, Wang Sulin, Wang Kuan

(The Third Hospital of Beijing Medical College, BeiJing)

Needling tolerance test, pulse rate, pain threshold and pain tolerance threshold tests were used as the parameters in the pre-operative assessment of success of acupuncture anesthesia in hysterectomy patients from October 1978 to December 1982.

1. Needling tolerance test, one day before operation, needling at the Neiguan acupoint using manual rotation was done and the results were classified as "good" and "fair", At the same time, the pulse rate was noted within 10 seconds. In the "good" cases, pulse rate increased in 6.3% and in the "fair", 40%.

2. Pulse rate, one day before operation, graphic changes of pulse rate were recorded. Pulse rate after rest for 10 minutes served as the control. Pulse rate was again recorded after pain stimulation by potassium ion at the incisional area and after needling bilateral Neimadian with electrical stimulation for an induction period 20 minutes. If after needling, the pulse rate was not increased or increased less than 4/min, the test was regarded as "good", and otherwere as "fair". The results showed that patients with I-II grade anesthetic effect had an average decrease of pulse rate, (3.87/min), and those with III-IV grade anesthetic effect had an average increase of pulse rate of 3/min, The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The corresponding rate with anesthetic effect was 88%.

3. One day before operation 31 patients were tested with potassium ion pain stimulation apparatus to see the pain threshold and pain tolerance threshold. The results showed that when the pain threshold was above 1,2 miliampere and pain tolerance threshold above 5.5 mA, the anesthetic effect was good. Through preoperative assessment by a combination of the above mentioned tests, those patients who are fit for acupuncture anesthesia may be selected. For those who has predicated as "fair", the combined acupuncture anesthesia or drug anesthesia may be more suitable.