Objective: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture anethesia in combination with general anesthesia of enflurane for radical operation of esophageal carcinoma. Methods:Single blind test has been adopted and 120 cases were divided at random into 3 groups

i.e. A

B

C. Group A (n=40): acupuncture integrated with general anesthesia of enflurane inhalation. Group B (n=41): acupoint stimulation with plate electrode combined with general anesthesia of enflurane inhalation. Group C (n=39): simple inhalation general anesthesia (control group). Acupoints used were Yifeng (TE 17)

Sanyangluo (TE 8) to Ximen (PC 4) and Xiayifeng and were stimulated with electric current 2～ 4 mA

frequency 2/15 Hz and intermittent dense sparse waves in Group A. Sanyangluo (TE 8) and Xiayifeng were stimulated with 10～13 mA via skin electrodes. For anesthesia induction all the 3 groups received same dose of intravenous injection of vecuromine

fentanyl and isophorone. During the operation all the groups received intravenous injection of fentany (2 μg·kg -1 ·hr -1 )

and vecuromine (0.03 mg·kg -1 ·0.5 hr -1 )

and inhaled the enflurane of appropriate concentration to maintain anesthesia and muscular relaxation according to the requirements for anesthesia. In group A and Group B the electric stimulation were used at the same time.Results: In Group A and Group B the rate of anesthesia grade I is 67.50% and 68.29% respectively

whereas in group C the rate of Grade I is merely 28.21%

P<0.001; In the whole process of anesthesia the average concentration of enflurane in Group A and Group B was 0.55% and 0.50% respectively

but in Group C it was 0.83%. The inhaled enflurane concentration in Group A and Group B is 33.73% and 39.76% respectively being strikingly lower than that of Group C (P<0.005).Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with general anesthesia of enflurane inhalation can not only enhance the analgesic effect

but also reduce the inhalation dosage of enflurane

it reveals the advantage of acupuncture anesthesia

thus

being applicable in the clinic.