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.