Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain control after cholecystectomy: lack of expected benefits.

We did a prospective study of two groups of patients having elective cholecystectomy through a right subcostal incision to evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Of 64 patients, 30 received TENS postoperatively and 34 did not. Narcotic use in total dose or on a weight basis was not statistically different between the two groups, nor was there any difference in the occurrence of pulmonary or gastrointestinal complications. The use of TENS after this particular operation did not appear to lessen narcotic use or pain-related complications.