Abstract: Objective To observe the clinical effect of bilateral intradermal thumbtack needle buried in Zusanli and Neiguan acupoints on nausea and vomiting in abdominal surgery patients.Methods A total of 160 patients receiving abdominal surgery were randomly divided into two groups:thumbtack needle group (group T,n = 80) and sham group (group S,n = 80).Both groups were anesthetized with sevoflurane-remifentanil combined anesthesia.At 30 min before surgery,the patients of group T underwent acupuncture treatment on bilateral Zusanli and Neiguan acupoints,and patients of group S were given sham treatment patches on the same acupoints.Nausea and vomiting responses were recorded within postoperative 48 h.Results Compared with the group S,the group T showed decreased postoperative nausea and vomiting degrees (P<0.05).Conclusion Applying intradermal thumbtack needle on Zusanli and Neiguan acupoints at 30 min before surgery can significantly reduce the incidence rate of nausea and vomiting after abdominal surgery.

Key words: Thumbtack needle, Zusanli acupoint, Neiguan acupoint, Nausea, Vomiting