Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Before Induction of Anesthesia Prevents Sufentanil-Induced Cough: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

Background: Sufentanil-induced cough is a common side effect during the induction of general anesthesia.This study is to determine the inhibitory effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS) on sufentanil-induced cough. Methods: . A total of 339 patients were recruited in this trial.After the unqualified patients were removed,300 patients were enrolled and randomly allocated into five groups(n=60):Patients did not receive TEAS in control group(C group);Patients received 2Hz TEAS at Hegu/Neiguan(LI4/PC6) in 2A group;Patients received 100Hz TEAS at LI4/PC6 in 100A group;Patients received 2Hz TEAS at Zusanli/sanyinjiao(ST36/SP6) in 2B group;Patients received 100Hz TEAS at ST36/SP6 in 100B group.Except for C group,all groups received TEAS for 30 min before the induction.Then 0.5μg/kg sufentanil was given within 2 s,the occurrence of cough was observed and recorded for 1 min.The severity of cough was graded as mild(1-2 coughs),moderate(3-5 cough),and severe(>5 coughs).The mean arterial pressure(MAP) and heart rate(HR) before (T0) and 1 min after(T1) sufentanil injection were recorded. Results: . The incidence of sufentani-induced cough in C group,2A group,2Bgroup,100A group and 100B group were 37%,27%,27%,12% and 13%,respectively.Compared with C group,the incidence of 100A group and 100B group were significantly lower(P<0.05).The MAP and HR between five groups had no statistical difference. Conclusion: Groups the received 100Hz TEAS for 30 min before sufentanil injection can effectively reduce the incidence of sufentanil-induced cough during the induction of general anesthesia. Trial registration Chinese clinical trial registry(ChiCTRINR16008759)