Objective: To determine the safety and effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention combined with general anesthesia (GA) for craniocerebral tumor-removal surgery involving cerebral eloquent areas.
Methods: A total of 20 patients with cerebral tumors (durosarcoma, neurogliocytoma, metastatic tumor) involving the cerebral eloquent areas were recruited in the present summary. They were equally divided into general anesthesia (GA) group and EA + GA group. Patients of the EA + GA group were treated with EA stimulation (2 Hz/100 Hz) of the bilateral Fengchi (GB 20), Shuaigu (GB 8) and acupuncture stimulation of Quanliao (SI 18), Zulinqi (GB 41) and Taichong (LR 3), and not given intubation during surgery. Patients of the GA group were treated with intravenous administration of Propofol, Fentanyl, Midazolam, Isopropanol, etc. In addition, all the patients were given with controlled hypotension by intravenous injection of Propofol and Fentanyl. Dosages of Propofol and Sulfentanyl used were recorded. Karnofsky performance status scale was used to assess the patient's general well-being and activities of daily life.
Results: The craniocerebral tumor-removal surgery was successful in all the 20 patients. Compared with the GA group, the dosages of Sulfentanyl and Propofol of the EA+ GA group were significantly lower (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the GA and EA+ GA groups in Karnofsky performance scores (P > 0.05). Patients of the EA+GA group experienced successful tumour-removal surgery without trachea cannula, were awake and could make a good cooperation with the operator during surgery. They had no aggravation of neurofunctional disturbance following the operation.
Conclusion: EA combined with general anesthesia is safe and effective for patients with craniocerebral tumor-removal operations involving cerebral eloquent areas.