Efficacy of Low-Frequency Electroacupuncture on Urinary Retention After Spinal Anesthesia

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) in the prevention of urinary retention after orthopedic surgery.

Design: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Methods: Eighty patients with spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated into the groups of EA (40 cases) and control (40 cases). In the first group, the EA was applied to four points of SP6, SP9, ST28, and CV2; 4 Hz, retaining for 20 minutes in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). In the control group, no intervention was applied. The incidence of postoperative urinary retention, incomplete or difficult urination, and the first automatic micturition time since spinal anesthesia were compared between the two groups.

Findings: The incidence of urinary retention and incomplete urination in the EA group was significantly lower than that in the control group; the time to first urination was shorter in the intervention group than in the control group (P < .05).

Conclusions: Electroacupuncture after spinal anesthesia improves bladder function and reduces the need for a urinary catheter and its possible complications.