Postoperative nausea and vomiting after capsicum plaster at the P6 acupoint after laparoscopic cholecystectomy according to gender

Abstract

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has a remarkably high reported incidence (70%) in female patients after anesthesia. This study aims to evaluate the clinical effect of capsicum plaster at the P6 acupoint with respect to gender in preventing PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: A prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was conducted with 120 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and who were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 30 each): Group MC = male patients with capsicum plaster at the P6 acupoint; Group MP = male patients with placebo tape at the P6 acupoint; Group FC = female patients with capsicum plaster at the P6 acupoint; Group FP = female patients with placebo tape at the P6 acupoint. The treatment tape was applied before the induction of anesthesia and was removed eight hours after the operation. Results: The incidence of nausea was reduced in both genders with application of capsicum plaster at P6 acupoint. No change in vomiting or use of anti-emetics was observed. Satisfaction scores with PONV control were improved with this intervention. No gender difference was observed which actually the initial objective of this study was. Conclusions: The application of capsicum plaster at the P6 acupoint is a proven antiemetic method in both gender after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, however there are no intergender differences.