Electroacupuncture plus dolasetron to prevent nausea and vomiting after thoracoscopic lung surgery

Electroacupuncture Combined With 5-HT3 Receptor Inhibitor for the Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-risk Patients Undergoing Thoracoscopic Surgery for Lung Cancer

This trial will test whether adding electroacupuncture to standard anti-nausea medicines (dolasetron and dexamethasone) reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting in high-risk adults undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic lung surgery.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 204 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Shanghai Chest Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Shanghai)
• Trial ID: NCT07515027 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, randomized, sham-controlled, blinded trial enrolling adults at high risk for PONV (Apfel score ≥3) undergoing elective video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lung resection. Participants will be randomized to two perioperative sessions of electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture while all receive prophylactic dolasetron and dexamethasone. The primary outcome is the incidence of PONV within 24 hours after surgery, with secondary outcomes including PON, POV, PONV at multiple time points up to 48 hours, and nausea severity by VAS. Safety and adverse events related to acupuncture and antiemetic therapy will also be recorded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) scheduled for elective VATS lung resection who are high-risk for PONV (Apfel score ≥3), expected to receive postoperative opioid analgesia, and who meet ASA I–III and other eligibility criteria are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with low PONV risk (Apfel <3), pregnant or lactating women, those allergic to study medications or acupuncture, long-term opioid users, or those converted to open surgery are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, combining electroacupuncture with standard antiemetics could reduce how often and how badly patients experience nausea and vomiting after VATS, improving comfort and recovery.

How similar studies have performed: Prior clinical trials and meta-analyses suggest acupuncture and electroacupuncture can reduce PONV in some surgical populations, but high-quality sham-controlled data specifically in VATS patients are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years;
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III;
* Body mass index (BMI) 18-30 kg/m²;
* Scheduled for elective video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy, segmentectomy, or wedge resection;
* Expected to receive postoperative opioid analgesia, with an Apfel risk score ≥ 3;
* Normal pulmonary function, without severe cardiovascular, hepatic, or renal abnormalities;
* No infection around the acupuncture sites;
* Voluntary written informed consent provided by the subject.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular, hepatic, or renal abnormalities, or poor pulmonary function;
* Subjects with cognitive dysfunction or psychological disorders;
* History of previous esophageal or gastric surgery;
* Hypersensitivity to acupuncture or any study medications;
* Severe infection or history of surgery around the acupuncture sites;
* Pregnant or lactating women;
* Long-term opioid use;
* Conversion to open surgery;
* Acupuncture treatment received within 1 month prior to enrollment.

Where this trial is running

Shanghai

• Shanghai Chest Hospital — Shanghai, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Deputy Chief Physician

Conditions PONV; EA; VATS