Journal of Investigative Surgery · Published 2026-05-18 · DOI 10.1080/08941939.2026.2652778
Liping Yu, Xiao Wang, Ling Mei, Jiangang Song, Wei Song, Hui Xue, Sicheng Wu, Jian Wang, Lili Li, Wenting Chen
Background Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) affects up to 80% of high-risk patients, compromising Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) outcomes and prolonging hospitalization. This randomized controlled trial evaluated wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) efficacy for PONV prevention in high-risk female surgical patients.Methods This single-center, randomized, patient- and assessor-blinded, sham-controlled trial enrolled female patients (aged 18–60 years, ASA I-II) scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with documented motion sickness or previous PONV. Participants received either WAA (sterile needles at four standardized acupoints, 30-minute retention) or sham acupuncture postoperatively. The primary outcome was 24-h PONV incidence using the Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (R-INVR).Results Among 132 patients (median age 41 years), WAA significantly reduced 24-h PONV incidence versus sham (42.4% vs. 71.2%; RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.42-0.82; p = 0.002). Median R-INVR scores were lower with WAA [0 (0–5) vs. 8 (0–11); p < 0.001]. WAA patients reported significantly reduced nausea/vomiting at 30 min, 6 h, and 24 h (all p ≤ 0.006) and higher satisfaction scores (p < 0.001). Antiemetic use was comparable (9.1% vs. 16.7%; p = 0.299). No adverse events occurred.Conclusions WAA significantly reduced PONV incidence and severity with sustained effects and improved satisfaction, offering a promising non-pharmacological prevention strategy.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Yu, L., Wang, X., Mei, L., et al. (2026). Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Prophylaxis in High-Risk Female Patients: A Pragmatic, Randomized, Single-Blind, Sham-Controlled Trial. Journal of Investigative Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941939.2026.2652778