Open radical prostatectomy (RP) is a common surgical procedure for treating prostate cancer, but it often comes with significant postoperative pain. Effective pain management is crucial to enhance recovery and improve patient outcomes. Recent research highlights the potential benefits of adding acupuncture to standard pain management protocols after prostate surgery. In this blog post, we will explore the findings from a randomized controlled study on acupuncture for managing postoperative pain following open radical prostatectomy and what this means for patients and healthcare providers.
What is Postoperative Pain After Open Radical Prostatectomy?
Open radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the prostate gland and some surrounding tissue, often performed to treat prostate cancer. While effective, the surgery can result in significant postoperative pain, which requires effective management strategies to ensure a smooth recovery and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Acupuncture for Postoperative Pain Relief: An Emerging Tool
Acupuncture, a practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involves inserting thin needles at specific points on the body to relieve pain and promote healing. The technique is gaining attention in Western medicine as a complementary treatment option to reduce postoperative pain and enhance recovery after surgery.
Study Overview: Evaluating Acupuncture for Postoperative Pain Management
A recent study conducted by researchers at the Martini-Klinik Prostate Cancer Center, HanseMerkur Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Department of Urology of University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy, and Longhua Hospital in China investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture for postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing open radical prostatectomy. The study involved 126 patients, divided into three groups:
- Control Group (CON): Received standard postoperative pain management.
- Acupuncture Group (ACU): Received standard pain management plus acupuncture with press tack needles at specific points (P-6, Shenmen, SP-6).
- Sham Group (SHAM): Received standard pain management plus placebo acupuncture (sham press tack acupressure).
Key Findings on Postoperative Pain: Does Acupuncture Make a Difference?
The study’s results showed promising benefits for using acupuncture in postoperative pain management:
- Significant Reduction in Postoperative Pain: Patients in the acupuncture group (ACU) reported significantly lower pain levels compared to both the sham group (SHAM) and the control group (CON). This suggests that real acupuncture, rather than a placebo or no acupuncture, effectively reduces postoperative pain after prostate surgery.
- No Increase in Postoperative Medication Use: Despite the reduction in pain, there was no significant difference in the cumulative use of pain medication across the three groups. This indicates that while acupuncture may help reduce pain perception, it does not necessarily decrease the need for pain medications.
- Similar Postoperative Recovery Metrics: Other recovery markers, such as time to first defecation and general health status at discharge, were similar across all groups. This suggests that acupuncture primarily improves postoperative pain management without significantly affecting other aspects of recovery.
Why Consider Acupuncture for Postoperative Pain Management After Prostate Surgery?
- Reduced Reliance on Postoperative Pain Medications: Acupuncture offers a non-pharmacological option to reduce pain, potentially minimizing the need for opioids and other pain medications that can have side effects and complications.
- Enhanced Postoperative Patient Satisfaction: Patients who receive acupuncture as part of their postoperative care may experience less pain and discomfort, leading to higher satisfaction with their care.
- Holistic and Integrative Postoperative Approach: Acupuncture provides a holistic, patient-centered approach to postoperative pain management that aligns with integrative medicine practices, combining the best of traditional and modern healthcare.
Conclusion: Incorporating Acupuncture into Postoperative Care
The findings from this study suggest that acupuncture can be a valuable addition to standard postoperative care for patients undergoing open radical prostatectomy. By reducing pain without increasing the use of medications, acupuncture offers a promising complementary therapy for improving postoperative outcomes and patient satisfaction.
If you are considering prostate surgery or are looking for ways to manage postoperative pain more effectively, talk to your healthcare provider about whether acupuncture could be right for you. As always, a personalized approach to care, considering all available treatment options, is the best way to achieve optimal health outcomes.
Reference
Maurer, J., Friedemann, T., Chen, Y., Ambrosini, F., Knipper, S., Maurer, T., Heinzer, H., Thederan, I., & Schroeder, S. (2024). A randomized controlled study on acupuncture for peri-operative pain after open radical prostatectomy. BJU international, 133(6), 725–732. https://doi.org/10.1111/bju.16288