Optimizing Postoperative Analgesia After Perianal Abscess Surgery Using Ultrasound-Guided Pudendal Nerve Block Combined with Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Researchers in China studied whether combining two pain management techniques—ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block and wrist-ankle acupuncture—could better control pain after surgery for perianal abscesses. The study involved 120 patients divided into three groups: one receiving only the nerve block, one receiving only acupuncture, and one receiving both treatments together. Patients who received the combined treatment experienced significantly less pain at all measured time points (6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery) compared to those who received either treatment alone. The combination therapy also provided longer-lasting pain relief and reduced the need for additional pain medications by more than half. Beyond pain control, patients receiving both treatments showed lower levels of inflammation markers in their blood, reported better sleep quality during recovery, and expressed higher satisfaction with their pain management. Importantly, the combined approach was just as safe as either treatment used alone, with no increase in side effects. This research suggests that integrating acupuncture with conventional nerve block procedures may offer superior pain management for patients recovering from perianal surgery. The wrist-ankle acupuncture technique is minimally invasive and appears to enhance the effects of standard regional anesthesia. For patients considering this approach, it's essential to seek treatment from a licensed acupuncturist with appropriate training in postoperative pain management.

This prospective RCT (n=120) evaluated ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block (PNB) combined with wrist-ankle acupuncture versus either intervention alone for postoperative analgesia following perianal abscess surgery. The combined group demonstrated statistically significant reductions in VAS scores at all postoperative time points (6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours; P<0.01) compared to single-intervention groups. Duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged and rescue analgesia rate reduced to 15.0% (P<0.05) in the combined group. Inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) were significantly attenuated at 48 and 72 hours postoperatively (P<0.05). Sleep quality scores and patient satisfaction showed significant improvement with combined therapy. No significant differences in adverse events were observed across groups. Clinical takeaway: Integrating wrist-ankle acupuncture with regional anesthesia provides enhanced, sustained analgesia and anti-inflammatory effects in perianal surgery, supporting multimodal approaches that incorporate complementary techniques alongside conventional nerve blocks.