Objective To observe the anti-stress effect of acupuncture-assisted anesthesia in patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy.Methods A randomized

controlled

single-blind clinical trial was conducted in the present study.A total of 48 patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy were randomized into regular general anesthesia(RGA)

general anesthesia combined with 2 Hz electroacupuncture(EA)(GA+2 Hz-EA)

general anesthesia combined with 2 Hz/100 Hz EA(GA+2 Hz/100 Hz-EA)

and GA+100 Hz-EA groups(n=12).EA(1-3 mA) was applied to bilateral Houxi(SI 3)

Zhigou(SJ 6)

Neiguan(PC 6) and Hegu(LI 4) for 30 min

followed by general anesthesia with midazolam(0.05 mg/kg)

fentanyl(5 μg/kg)

propofol(2 mg/kg)

and vecuronium(0.1 mg/kg).The dosages of the anesthetics

heart rate(HR)

systolic blood pressure(SBP)

and bispectral index(BIS)of electroencephalogram during general anesthesia were recorded.Plasma adrenaline and cortisol concentrations were assayed by radioimmunoassay.Results In comparison with the RGA group

the dosages of supplementary propofol and fentanyl in both GA+2 Hz-EA and GA+100 Hz-EA groups

and that of propofol in the GA+2 Hz/100 Hz-EA group were decreased significantly(P<0.05

P<0.01).Compared to the RGA group

both HR and SBP values during trachea extubation in the GA+2 Hz/100 Hz-EA and GA+100 Hz-EA groups were significantly lower(P<0.01

P<0.05).No significant differences were found between the GA+2 Hz/100 Hz-EA and RGA groups in the supplementary dose of fentanyl

between the GA+2 Hz-EA and RGA groups in HR and SBP values during trachea extubation

among the 4 groups in HR and SBP values before trachea extubation and in plasma adrenaline and cortisol levels(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture-assisted anesthesia can decrease the dosage of general anesthetics

and effectively restrain cardiovascular stress reaction during trachea extubation in pulmonary lobectomy patients.