The Effects of Electroacupuncture on Postoperative Pain

Postoperative pain is an acute pain that begins with surgical trauma and decreases over time with tissue healing. The level of pain and discomfort felt varies from person to person. The patient's sex and age, physiological and psychological structure, operation area, duration of surgery, premedication, type of anesthetic used, postoperative complications and several other environmental factors can affect this level. After the operation, especially within 48 hours, the pain increases and gradually decreases. Postoperative pain may cause an increase in anxiety and general fear and concern. The stress level caused by surgical trauma in the patient delays recovery and increases mortality and morbidity.

Electroacupuncture (EA) applies electrical stimulation current to needles placed on acupuncture points. It is mainly used to relieve pain and provide operative analgesia.

No study has been found in the literature on the pain-reducing functionality of acupuncture applications in periodontal surgical treatments. In this study, the investigators aimed to examine the effect of electroacupuncture application on the amount of pain felt by patients after periodontal surgery.

Inclusion criteria

• absence of any systemic disease,
• pregnancy or breast feeding;
• not receiving anti-inflammatory drug therapy in the last 6 months, chemotherapy or radiotherapy;
• having 6 mm or more probable pocket depth and clinical attachment loss in at least 4 or more teeth when called for control 6 weeks after Phase I treatment

Exclusion criteria

• Having a systemic disease such as cardiovascular, diabetes, hypertension, thyroid organ pathologies, chronic kidney failure
• pregnant/breastfeeding
• medication for any reason
• smoker/tobacco user
• other periodontal disease other than periodontitis
• chronic inflammatory disease (COPD, asthma)