Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on pain, respiratory function, and analgesic drug usage after thoracotomy: a prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVE

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been applied to alleviate post-thoracotomy pain. In this study, we investigated the effects of TENS on pain scores, additional opioid doses, opioid-related side effects, and potential respiratory and cardiac complications.

METHOD

In this controlled, randomized study, 40 patients underwent muscle-sparing thoracotomy. The TENS group consisted of 20 patients (Group T), while the control group included 20 patients (Group C). Postoperative pain scores, supplemental analgesia doses, opioid-related side effects, and postoperative cardiac and respiratory complications were measured.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics. Pain scores in Group T were consistently lower throughout various time intervals. The additional analgesia dose in Group T was significantly lower at 24, 48, and 72 h (respectively,  = 0.007,  = 0.043,  = 0.032). Opioid-related constipation, nausea, and vomiting were lower in Group T (respectively,  = 0.047,  = 0.044). Group T exhibited significantly lower postoperative complications related to secretion retention ( = 0.044).

CONCLUSION

The application of TENS for post-thoracotomy pain control helps prevent secretion retention and reduces opioid usage, thus mitigating opioid-related side effects.