Table 1. Summary of Selected Studies Examining the Effects of Acupuncture in Association With Otolaryngologic Surgery
StudyStudy DesignNumber of PatientsSurgery TypeOutcomesFindings
Pfister et al, 201022Randomized, controlled58Neck dissectionPostoperative pain and dysfunctionReduction in postoperative pain and dysfunction compared to usual care (P = 0.008)
Sahmeddini et al, 201025Randomized, controlled90Nasal septoplastyPostoperative painSimilar analgesic effect as meperidine (P > 0.05) and reduction in PONV (P < 0.05)
Tong et al, 201226Randomized, controlled90Functional endoscopic sinus surgeryAnalgesic effectReduction of postoperative pain (P < 0.01), decreased dosage of local anesthetic (P < 0.01), increased patient satisfaction scores (P < 0.01) compared to anesthesia alone
Ochi, 201319Retrospective review56TonsillectomyPostoperative painReduction in postoperative pain (P < 0.01) compared to codeine
Tsao et al, 201513Randomized, controlled, double-blind59TonsillectomyPostoperative painReduction in postoperative pain compared to sham acupuncture (P = 0.0065)
Gilbey et al, 201520Randomized, controlled, single-blind60TonsillectomyPain and unwanted side effectsReduction in pain with no unwanted side effects (P ≤ 0.01) compared to conventional postoperative analgesic treatment alone
Shin et al, 201617Metaanalysis/systematic review800TonsillectomyPONVReduction in PONV (P < 0.05) and lower risk-ratio compared to conventional drug therapy
Moeen, 201618Prospective double-blind120TonsillectomyPostoperative vomitingSimilar antiemetic effects as dexamethasone (P = 0.426)
Cho et al, 201621Metaanalysis/systematic review1,025TonsillectomyPONV and postoperative painReduction in PONV compared to conventional analgesic alone
Deganello et al, 201623Pilot48Neck dissectionPostoperative pain and dysfunctionReduction in chronic pain and dysfunction after neck dissection (P < 0.01) compared to physical therapy
Grech et al, 201624Prospective, double-blind pilot20Thyroid and parathyroid surgeryAnalgesic use, pain, physiologic stress, immune cytokine responseReduction in analgesic use, glycemic levels (P < 0.005), and postoperative stress compared to general anesthesia alone

  • PONV, postoperative nausea and vomiting.