The effect of acupressure application to P6 point on nausea and vomiting inpregnant women undergoing caesarean section with spinal anesthesia

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of P6 acupressure during and after cesarean section for preventing nausea and vomiting. Materials and Methods: 133 patients aged 18-45 years, ASA II, singleton pregnancy, 37-40 weeks, scheduled for elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were evaluated. Exclusiton criteria were patient refusal, multiple pregnancy, BMI>35, hyperemesis gravidarum, pre-eclampsia-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, Apfel score>3, antiemetic use within 48 hours, number of spinal anesthesia attempts >2, transition to general anesthesia, and methylergonovine administration. Fifteen minutes before operation, a wrist bracelet with a 5 mm ball at the center was placed 3 cm proximally on the inner side of both wrists GROUP A, applying compression between palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis tendons. In GROUP P, balls were left on the extensor surface. Nausea and vomiting were evaluated using the Verbal Descriptive Scale (VDS). Results: 120 patients data was analysed. No statistical significance was found in terms of demographic data. In the acupressure group the number of patients experiencing nausea and vomiting was intraoperatively 20, and postoperatively 2, these numbers were significantly lower than placebo (p<0.05). Mobilization time was found to be significantly shorter in GROUPA (p<0.05). Pain onset was significantly delayed in the GROUPA (p<0.05). Conclusion: Acupressure decreased intraoperative and postoperative nausea and vomiting without any side effects in patients undergoing cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. Acupressure application may be useful as an alternative or in combination with antiemetics in patients undergoing surgery. Keywords: Acupressure, nausea and vomiting, cesarean section, spinal anesthesia