[Four case studies of perioperative treatment using traditional Chinese medicine].

We describe the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine in treating minor preoperative and postoperative complaints in four patients. The first was a 54-year-old woman with a preoperative complaint of chapped hands before phylebeurysm evulsion surgery. Hachimiziougan was prescribed, and symptoms were ameliorated by postoperative day two. The second patient was a 77-year-old man with a complaint of cryptogenic palpitation during the preoperative morning for prostate biopsy. Hangekoubokutou was prescribed, and his symptoms were abated. The third patient was a 58-year-old woman with a postoperative complaint of sleeplessness due to cough following cranial laminoplasty. Bakumondoutou was prescribed, and she reported that both coughing and sleeplessness were abated. The fourth patient was a 65-year-old man with a preoperative complaint of constipation and a chill in his leg prior to cranial laminoplasty. Hachimiziougan and Mashiningan were prescribed, and symptoms were abated by postoperative day five. All patients were satisfied with traditional Chinese medicine, even though it was a short-term treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine thus may provide effective treatment for minor perioperative complaints.