Randomized Controlled Trial of Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture for Postoperative Pharyngeal Pain in Patients Undergoing Day Surgery Thyroidectomy.

Throat pain after thyroid surgery is extremely common, affecting up to 9 out of 10 patients who have same-day thyroid procedures. Researchers in China tested whether a special type of acupuncture called wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) could help reduce this discomfort without adding medications.

The study involved 72 patients undergoing thyroid cancer surgery as day cases. Half received standard post-surgery care plus wrist-ankle acupuncture, where thin needles were inserted just under the skin at specific points on the wrists after surgery. The other half received only standard care. Researchers measured throat pain levels at multiple times after surgery using a standard pain scale, and also asked patients about their satisfaction with pain control, sleep quality, and overall recovery.

The results were promising. Patients who received wrist-ankle acupuncture reported significantly less throat pain at 9 and 27 hours after surgery compared to those who received standard care alone. They were also much more satisfied with their pain management. Additionally, the acupuncture group experienced better sleep after surgery and reported better overall health during recovery. The treatment was safe, with only minor side effects and no serious complications reported.

For patients facing thyroid surgery, this study suggests that wrist-ankle acupuncture could offer a drug-free way to manage the uncomfortable throat pain that often follows these procedures. The technique appears particularly useful for same-day surgery patients who need effective pain relief without additional medications. If you're considering acupuncture for post-surgical pain management, seek treatment from a licensed acupuncturist with experience in hospital or surgical settings.

This randomized controlled trial evaluated wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) for postoperative pharyngeal pain management in thyroid cancer patients undergoing day-case thyroidectomy. Seventy-two patients were randomized to either WAA plus standard care (n=36) or standard care alone (n=36). The intervention group received subcutaneous needle insertion at Upper 1 and Upper 6 wrist points postoperatively.

Primary outcome was visual analog scale pain assessment at 3, 4, 9, and 27 hours post-surgery and predischarge. Secondary outcomes included the Houston Pain Outcome Instrument and 15-item Quality of Recovery scale. Results demonstrated statistically significant pain reduction in the WAA group at 9 and 27 hours post-surgery (P<.001), with significantly higher patient satisfaction with pain control (P<.001). The experimental group also reported improved postoperative sleep and overall health (P<.05). Adverse events were minor with no serious complications.

Clinical implications: WAA provides a safe, nonpharmacological adjunct for managing postoperative pharyngeal pain in day-surgery thyroidectomy patients. The technique warrants integration into enhanced recovery protocols, though larger multi-center trials are needed for validation across diverse populations.