High frequency TENS as a complement for pain relief in postoperative transition from epidural to general analgesia after pancreatic resection

Abstract Aim This study investigated the effect of high frequency transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) as a pain relieving complementary therapy at the transition from epidural (EDA) to general analgesia after pancreatic surgery by horizontal, abdominal incision. Method Fifty-five consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic resection were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to active or sham TENS treatment. Twenty subjects were included in the analysis. Pain, quality of recovery and additional analgesia consumption were measured during the 24 h of transition from EDA to general analgesia. Results Additional analgesic consumption and pain estimations at 24 h after EDA termination differed between the two groups, but was not statistically significant. Conclusion This study did not find support to reject use of high frequency TENS as complement during transition from EDA to general analgesia after major abdominal surgery with horizontal incision.