Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on postoperative sore throat in patients with airway stenosis under rigid bronchoscopy

Objective To observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative sore throat (POST) in patients with airway stenosis undergoing rigid bronchoscopy. Methods A total of 60 patients with airway stenosis who underwent elective rigid bronchoscopy between August and November 2024 were selected, including 33 males and 27 females, aged 18-80 years, with ASA classification grades Ⅰ-Ⅲ. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=30): an observation group and a control group. The observation group received TEAS at bilateral Hegu (LI4) and Neiguan (PC6) acupoints 30 min before anesthesia induction, which continued until the patient left the operating room. The control group had electrode pads placed on the same acupoints, with no electrical stimulation. The duration of rigid bronchoscopy, intraoperative propofol and remifentanil consumption, POST incidence and throat pain scores 1, 6, 24, and 48 h after extubation, incidence of hoarseness of voice (HOV), POST duration, and adverse reactions were recorded. Results Compared with the control group, the observation group showed significantly reduced remifentanil consumption during surgery, decreased POST incidences and throat pain scores at post-operative 1, 6, 24, and 48 h, and shortened POST duration,with a reduced incidence of nausea and vomiting. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of HOV between the two groups. Conclusions TEAS at bilateral Hegu and Neiguan acupoints significantly reduces POST incidence and throat pain scores, shortens POST duration, decreases intraoperative opioid consumption, and reduces the incidence of nausea and vomiting in patients with airway stenosis undergoing rigid bronchoscopy.