The effect of electroacupuncture analgesia on the plasma levels of cortisol and aldosterone in orthopedic operations

: The effects of electroacupuncture on plasma cortisol and aldosterone levels in patients undergoing orthopedic operations were studied. Plasma cortisol and aldosterone levels were measured at three stages. Moderate activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system is considered an adjustment response of the organism to the operative trauma, with stable hemodynamic parameters. The total amount of analgetic drugs which the patients received during the postoperative period was three times lower than that in the control group given neuroleptanalgesia; during electroacupuncture analgesia (EAPA) opioids were not applied. It is considered that the use of EAPA lowers the degree of the stress reaction in surgical trauma, providing adequate analgesia and neurovegetative protection of patients during orthopedic operations and in the early postoperative period.