Objective To observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS) of different acupoint combinations on postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV) and serum motilin(MTL) content in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery

so as to provide evidence for clinical selection of suitable acupoint compatibility. Methods A total of 140 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into general anesthesia(GA) control

TG_2 [Neiguan(PC6) + Hegu(LI4)]

TG_3 [PC6 + LI4 + Zusanli(ST36)]

and TG_4 [PC6 + LI4 + ST36 + Sanyinjiao(SP6)] groups

with 35 cases in each group. Patients of the TG_2

TG_3 and TG_4 groups received TEAS(2 Hz/100 Hz

3—8 mA) of the above mentioned acupoint(bilateral) groups for 30 min before the induction of anesthesia until the end of the operation. Patients of the GA control group received intravenous injection of Midazolam

Sufentanil

Propofol

Rocuronium Bromide

etc. The blood sample(4 mL) from the right median cubital vein was collected at the time of patient's entry

12 and 24 h after surgery

respectively

for measuring MTL concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The incidence of early and late PONV and changes of PONV degree within 24 h after surgery were recorded. Results The serum MTL concentrations were significantly decreased at 12 h after surgery in all the 4 groups(P<0.05)

and decreased at 24 h after surgery in GA and TG_2 groups vs their own pre-surgery(P < 0.05)

and considerably higher at both 12 and 24 h after surgery in the TG_2

TG_3 and TG_4 groups than in the GA control group(P<0.05)

and also evidently higher in the TG_3 and TG_4 groups than in the TG_2 group(P<0.05). The incidence of PONV was significantly lower in the TG_2

TG_3 and TG_4 groups than in the GA control group in the early and late periods(except TG_2 group) of surgery(P<0.05). The number of patients with PONV grade Ⅰ was significantly larger in the TG_2

TG_3 and TG_4 groups than in the GA control group at 24 h after surgery(P<0.05)

suggesting a mild PONV in more patients undergoing TEAS. Conclusion TEAS has a preventive effect on PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery

which may be related to its effect in reducing serum MTL concentration. The preventive effect of TEAS of PC6 + LI4 + ST36 and PC6 +LI4 + ST36 + SP6 is similar and better than TG_2(two acupoints) group.