Effect of acupressure on postoperative nausea and vomiting in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure applied at meridian P6 point for prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODOLOGY A randomized double blind study was performed in 50 ASA I and II patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were divided into two groups; control and placebo. In the control group acupressure was applied at P6 point half an hour before surgery while in the placebo group the acupressure band was tied on meridian P6 point but the plastic bead was placed on the dosum of right forearm away from meridian P6 point. Patients were assessed for nausea and vomiting for six hours after surgery. Anaesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia were standardized for all patients. RESULTS Results showed that the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was 36% in the treatment group and 40% in placebo group, which is statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION Application of acupressure at P6 point half an hour before induction of anaesthesia does not significantly alter the incidence of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting within 6 hours after surgery.