Meta-analysis finds TEAS reduces PONV after laparoscopic surgery

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in the prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: Computerized searches were conducted in databases of SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Duxiu, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ProQuest, and Ovid, covering the period from database inception to June 6, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on TEAS for the prevention and treatment of PONV after laparoscopic surgery were included. Two researchers independently completed literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. Meta-analysis of the extracted data was performed using RevMan5.3 and StataMP14 software. RESULTS: A total of 33 studies were included, involving 6 271 laparoscopic surgery patients, with 3 372 in the TEAS group and 2 899 in the control group. The Meta-analysis results showed that, compared with the control group, the incidence of PONV within 24 hours after laparoscopic surgery was lower in the TEAS group [=0.52, 95% (0.46, 0.58), =10.58, <0.000 01]; the postoperative need for rescue antiemetic medication was lower [=0.68, 95% (0.55, 0.85), =3.42, <0.001]; and the PONV score within 48 hours postoperatively was lower [=-0.67, 95% (-0.92, -0.41), =5.08, <0.000 01]. CONCLUSION: TEAS could effectively reduce the incidence of PONV, the requirement for postoperative rescue antiemetics, and the severity of PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery, thereby promoting patient recovery.