Objective: To investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS) on emergence agitation (EA) in children undergoing selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR). Methods: Forty-two children with cerebral palsy undergoing SPR were selected, 20 males and 22 females, aged 6-12 years, BMI 13-24 kg/m2, ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, randomly divided into two groups: TEAS group (group T) and control group (group C), 21 children in each group. Children in group T received TEAS at the bilateral acupoints of Neiguan and Hegu from 30 minutes before anesthesia induction to the end of surgery. In group C, electrodes were placed on the same acupoints without electrical stimulation. All children in both groups received total intravenous anesthesia. HR and MAP were recorded at the time of entry, extubation, 5, 15, 30 minutes after extubation. The consumption of remifentanil and propofol during the procedure were recorded. The time of operation and extubation were recorded. The Wong-Baker faces pain scale-revised (FPS-R) and the pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) were recorded at 15 minutes after extubation, and the incidence of EA was assessed by PAED. While, the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was recorded. Results: Compared with that at the time of entry, HR at the time of extubation, 5, 15 minutes after extubation and MAP at the time of extubation, 5, 15, 30 minutes after extubation in group C were significantly increased (P < 0.05), HR and MAP at the time of extubation, 5, 15 minutes after extubationin group T were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with group C, HR was significantly slower and MAP was significantly lower in group T at the time of extubation, 5, 15, 30 minutes after extubation (P < 0.05). Compared with group C, the consumption of remifentanil during operation was reduced, the time of extubation was significantly shortened, the FPS-R and PAED were significantly decreased, and the incidence of EA were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the time of operation, the consumption of propofol during operation and the incidence of PONV. Conclusion: TEAS is beneficial to prevent the occurrence of EA in pediatric patients undergoing SPR, stabilize hemodynamics, reduce the dosage of opioids during surgery, reduce the postoperative pain, andaccelerate the time of anesthesia resuscitation. |