Effects of electroacupuncture combined with flurbiprofen axetil on postoperative pain and early functional recovery after breast cancer surgery

BACKGROUND Breast cancer surgery often leads to acute postoperative pain that affects early recovery. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a potential adjunct to analgesics such as flurbiprofen axetil (FA), but evidence on its perioperative benefits remains limited. AIM To investigate the effects of EA combined with FA on postoperative pain and early functional recovery after breast cancer surgery. METHODS A total of 130 patients with breast cancer were randomly divided into EA group (n = 65) and control group (n = 65). Patients received EA or sham acupuncture from 30 minutes before anesthesia induction until surgery end. Both groups received FA postoperatively. We observed the occurrence of postoperative pain (incidence of moderate-to-severe pain during movement and at rest, Visual Analog Scale score) at 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours postoperatively, the score of basic activities of daily living (BADL) at 24 hours postoperatively and complications after surgery in both groups of patients. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the EA group lowered the incidence of moderate-to-severe movement-evoked pain at 24 hours postoperatively (P < 0.05), and reduced Visual Analog Scale scores during movement and at rest 24 hours after surgery (P < 0.01). The scores of BADL for grooming, dressing, toileting, and transferring (moving in and out of a bed or chair) were significantly better in the EA group than in the control group 24 hours after surgery (P < 0.05), the total BADL score was significantly higher (P < 0.01). The incidence of postoperative complications (nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite) was significantly reduced in the EA group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION EA combined with flurbiprofen FA can reduce the occurrence of postoperative pain and complications, improve early postoperative functional recovery after breast cancer surgery.