Effect of capsicum plaster at the P6 acupoint on postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery

Background: We evaluated the efficacy of capsicum plaster, applied to the Chinese acupuncture point (acupoint) Pericardium 6 (P6), in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Methods: One hundred and fifty patients scheduled for ESS were randomly placed in one of 3 groups. Each group had 50 patients. Inactive tape was affixed at both P6 acupoints and both shoulders in the control (placebo) group. Capsicum plaster was affixed at both P6 acupoints and inactive tape was affixed at both shoulders in the capsicum plaster (P6) group. Capsicum plaster was affixed at both shoulders and inactive tape at both P6 acupoints in the sham group. Plasters and tapes were affixed before the induction and removed 8 hours after surgery. Results: The incidence of PONV and requirement for antiemetics were significantly lower in the P6 group than in the control and sham groups during the 24 hours after surgery. At postoperative 0–24 hour, nausea was 42% in the control group, 2% in the P6 group, and 38% in the sham group. Postoperative vomiting was 28%, 0% and 26%, respectively, and the use of antiemetics was 34%, 0% and 32%, respectively. Conclusions: Stimulation of the P6 acupoint with capsicum plaster is effective for preventing PONV at postoperative 0–24 hour in patients undergoing ESS. (Anesth Pain Med 2016; 11: 160-165