This randomized controlled trial will test the hypothesis that patients receiving an intraoperative auricular acupuncture protocol will require less postoperative opioid analgesic use compared to those who do not receive acupuncture in the setting of a multimodal analgesic protocol for patients receiving surgery to repair distal radius fractures at a Level 1 trauma center under brachial plexus anesthesia with sedation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
140
Electroacupuncture
Ben Taub Hospital
Houston, Texas, United States
RECRUITINGTotal opioid analgesic use for 14 days after surgery
Total opioid given in hospital and taken at home, converted to oral morphine equivalents
Time frame: 14 days
Pain scores
Pain scores in PACU and at the 7 and 14 day mark post surgery
Time frame: 14 days
Incidence of side effects associated with opioid use
PONV, pruritus, headache, constipation, urinary retention, fatigue, difficulty with concentration, drowsiness, lightheadedness, dry mouth
Time frame: 14 days
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