Effect of press needle stimulation on postoperative pulmonary complications in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Researchers in China investigated whether a gentle form of acupuncture called press needle stimulation could reduce lung complications after chest surgery for lung cancer patients. Press needles are small, minimally invasive needles that remain in place during treatment, offering an alternative to traditional acupuncture needles.

The study involved 87 patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), a minimally invasive procedure to remove part of the lung. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: one received real press needle stimulation at specific acupuncture points on the chest and arms, while the other received fake (sham) treatment. The press needles were applied before anesthesia and remained in place during surgery, targeting four acupoints traditionally associated with lung function: LU9 (Taiyuan), RN17 (Danzhong), LU6 (Kongzui), and BL13 (Feishu).

The results showed that patients who received press needle stimulation experienced significantly fewer postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) within the first week after surgery compared to the sham group. These complications can include pneumonia, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory problems that delay recovery. Additionally, the press needle group required less pain medication through their patient-controlled analgesia pumps and reported better overall pain management.

The treatment appeared safe, with no significant differences in heart rate problems, nausea, vomiting, or most inflammatory markers between groups. The press needle group did show lower levels of a specific protein related to low oxygen conditions.

For patients scheduled for chest surgery, this study suggests that press needle acupuncture might help prevent lung complications and improve pain control after the procedure. If considering this approach, patients should consult with a licensed acupuncturist experienced in perioperative care.

This randomized controlled trial evaluated press needle acupoint stimulation for preventing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in 87 patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer. The intervention group (n=48) received bilateral stimulation at LU9, RN17, LU6, and BL13 pre-anesthesia and intraoperatively, while controls (n=39) received sham treatment.

Primary outcome showed significantly reduced PPC incidence within seven days post-surgery in the press needle group. Secondary outcomes revealed decreased patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump utilization and lower total PCA consumption, indicating superior analgesic efficacy. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α levels were significantly lower in the intervention group, while other inflammatory markers, hemodynamic parameters, and blood gas analyses showed no significant inter-group differences. No adverse cardiovascular or respiratory effects were observed.

Clinical implications: Press needle stimulation represents a safe, feasible adjunct therapy for VATS patients, offering dual benefits of reduced pulmonary complications and enhanced postoperative analgesia. The technique's minimally invasive nature and sustained intraoperative application make it particularly suitable for perioperative integration in thoracic surgical settings.