Name: acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy for postoperative pain after anal surgery
Uploaded: 2023-06-23T12:50:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Acupoint Needle-Embedding Combined with Ironing Therapy for Postoperative Pain After Anal Surgery at JoVE.com

This research was supported by the Hospital Foundation of Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Y2023016) and the Second Postgraduate Research Innovation Practice Project of the School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (LCYJSKT2023-35)&#160;and Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine General Program (2023MS005).

A brief graphical flow of the protocol is shown in Figure 1. The protocol was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and the protocol was approved by the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (code: 470000013, 4300000011). The data were obtained with the informed consent of the patients. The patients voluntarily signed informed consent prior to the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: the ability to follow the doctor&#39;s advice; signing...

Surgical procedures for hemorrhoids have developed rapidly. In addition to the traditional M-M surgery, procedures such as rubber band ligation (RBL), the procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH), tissue-selecting therapy stapler (TST), hemorrhoidal artery ligation, and infrared photocoagulation have also been widely used37,38,39. However, the advantages of M-M surgery, such as the high cure rate, low price, and simple opera...

Postoperative pain is one of the most common complications in anorectal surgery. Among these conditions, pain caused by hemorrhoid surgery is particularly prevalent1. Generally speaking, postoperative pain may be caused by anxiety after surgery2, improper surgical methods3, obstruction of blood and lymph flow4, surgical wound infection, and spasm of the internal anal sphincter5. In most cases, postoperative pain is a normal physiological response, but excessive or persistent pain causes discomfort to the patients, aggravates psychological pressure, and, thus, hinders recovery6.
For mild pain, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), calcium channel blockers, and surface anesthetics can fulfill the treatment requirements7,8. For severe pain, morphine and tramadol seem to be an appropriate selection9. However, analgesics are associated with poor pain relief effects in anorectal surgery, and the risks of gastrointestinal bleeding or gastric ulcers caused by NSAIDs make clinicians hesitant to prescribe them10,11. Furthermore, the addictiveness of opioids can have a huge impact on the patients&#39; living standards12. Optimizing the surgical procedure to prevent postoperative pain, such as by including lateral internal anal sphincterotomy, has been criticized due to its risk of anal incontinence13.
Acupoint needle embedding is a branch of acupuncture treatment, and its analgesic effect has been recognized for a long time. Ashi acupoint has a good analgesic effect, but its practice is limited because of the anus&#39; physiological function and anatomical structure, as directly stimulating the anus only increases the pain for the patients14. In recent years, stimulation on other acupoints to release pain has been reported15,16. Wang et al.17 achieved significant pain relief effects after hemorrhoid surgery by stimulating acupoints such as Changqiang (DU1), Chengshan (BL57), and Erbai (EX-UE2) with pestle needles. A more comprehensive study found that in the sham acupuncture group, pain relief was lower at 5 h, 7 h, and 8 h after treatment than in the acupuncture stimulation group18. Meanwhile, according to several meta-analyses, stimulation of acupoints can reduce postoperative pain with a better therapeutic effect than NSAIDs19,20. In TCM theory, stimulating acupoints can reduce the anxiety state of patients. In addition, it can promote local blood circulation to accelerate the resolution of inflammation and tissue repair17. A study has reported that acupuncture can also promote the release of endogenous analgesic substances, such as enkephalins and endorphins, to block the transmission of pain signals in nerve cells21. Acupuncture treatment is not only effective in relieving postoperative pain in hemorrhoids, but it has also been reported to be effective in relieving musculoskeletal pain22, back pain23, and primary dysmenorrhea24. Summarizing the previous clinical trials, we believe that acupuncture point stimulation is effective for pain relief after hemorrhoid surgery.
Ironing therapy is one of the most widely used treatment methods throughout human history. It involves using heat to penetrate the skin and accelerate blood flow, promote tissue metabolism, and regulate sensory nerves to reduce pain25. Furthermore, heat can also relieve the contraction of the muscles26. Massage techniques can be added to this treatment to increase the effect of pain relief. A previous clinical trial demonstrated that massage on the suprapubic and sacral regions could relieve pain in the perineal region27. It works by blocking pain signals from reaching the central nervous system while increasing sympathetic nerve activity and reducing the pain caused by negative emotions28,29.
The operating procedures included in the protocol increased the safety of the operation, shortened the hospitalization days, reduced the level of postoperative pain, and decreased the incidence of urinary retention and anal edema. Acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing treatment is a characteristic traditional Chinese medical method for postoperative pain from hemorrhoids and is recommended for healthy adults with no contraindications. It is expected to become an important complementary treatment for patients with postoperative pain.

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			<td>diclofenac sodium enteric-coated capsules</td>
			<td>Temmler Ireland Co., Ltd., Kerry, Ireland</td>
			<td>H20170098</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>fructus aurantii</td>
			<td>Traditional Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td>
			<td>220209</td>
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			<td>fructus foeniculi</td>
			<td>Traditional Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td>
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			<td>gauze bag</td>
			<td>Anhui Meijianan Household Products Co., Ltd, Anhui, China</td>
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			<td>Suolang Medical Disinfectants Co., Ltd., Zhejiang, China</td>
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			<td>iodophor cotton swabs</td>
			<td>Jiabeier Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Zhejiang, China</td>
			<td>20162140536</td>
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			<td>microwave oven</td>
			<td>Galanz Group Co., Ltd., Guangdong, China</td>
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			<td>press needle</td>
			<td>Suzhou Acupuncture Supplies Co., Ltd. Zhejiang, China</td>
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			<td>Zhaofenger Industry and Trade Co., Ltd., Hunan, China</td>
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			<td>radix paeoniae alba</td>
			<td>Guoqiang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td>
			<td>220601</td>
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			<td>rhizoma chuanxiong</td>
			<td>Yuankang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td>
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			<td>Xinhehua Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td>
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			<td>rhizoma curcumae longae</td>
			<td>Traditional Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td>
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			<td>sterile cotton swabs</td>
			<td>Zhongxin Sanitary Materials Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td>
			<td>20180021</td>
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			<td>sterile tweezers</td>
			<td>Weigao Grope Medical Polymer Co., Ltd., Shandong, China</td>
			<td>20182640148</td>
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			<td>thermometer</td>
			<td>Beierkang Medical Devices Co., Ltd., Guangdong, China</td>
			<td>20162200505</td>
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			<td>treatment towel</td>
			<td>Sichuan Hualikang Medical Technology Co., Ltd, Sichuan, China</td>
			<td>2111901</td>
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acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy for postoperative pain after anal surgery

Acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy is a non-drug treatment method to release postoperative pain after anal surgery. The practice is guided by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation theory and employs acupoint stimulation and heat to alleviate pain. Although prior research has shown that these are dependable methods for pain relief, the combined effect of the two techniques has not been described. In our research, we found that compared to using diclofenac sodium enteric-coated capsules alone, adding acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy was more effective for reducing pain levels at different stages after hemorrhoid surgery. Although this technique is efficient and commonly used in clinics, due to its invasive practice, acupoint needle embedding still carries risks relating to hospital-acquired infections and broken needles. Ironing therapy, on the other hand, can result in burns and connective tissue injuries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a standardized protocol for medical staff. Our protocol refines the traditional techniques and provides detailed instructions on patient preparation, operation techniques, and postoperative care to ensure the therapy is carried out safely and efficiently. By standardizing this therapy, this technique is expected to become an important complementary therapy for postoperative pain relief&#160;in hemorrhoids, which will significantly improve patients &#39;life quality after anal surgery.

Statistical analysis 
Collect and analyze the data using SPSS 22.0. In this work, normally distributed continuous variables were expressed as mean &#177; standard (SD), and comparisons between two groups were made using the Student&#39;s t-test. Continuous variables with skewed distributions were described using the median and 25% and 75% interquartile range, M (QL, QU), and comparisons between groups were performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Dichotomous variables were tested using the Chi-squar...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Acupoint Needle-Embedding Combined with Ironing Therapy for Postoperative Pain After Anal Surgery at JoVE.com

Acupoint Needle-Embedding Combined with Ironing Therapy for Postoperative Pain After Anal Surgery

The high incidence of pain after anal surgery is due to the physiological structure and pathological status of the anus. At present, the use of painkillers cannot provide satisfactory pain relief, which makes complementary therapy important. This paper proposes acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy to relieve postoperative pain.

Acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy is a non-drug treatment method to release postoperative pain after anal surgery. The practice is ...

Acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy is commonly used in clinics, but this operation process is not standardized, and may carry risks relating to this procedure. This technique effectively reduces pain levels at different stages after the hemorrhoid surgery. This technique reduces postoperative pain of hemorrhoid patients, and improves the patient's life quality after surgery.Begin with the patient assessment, evaluating their skin condition. After inspecting all equipment, ensuring the validity of consumables, and that the press needles are not damaged, perform operator disinfection with hand sanitizer using the seven step hand washing method. Disinfect the acupoint needle embedding site using a iodophor four cotton swab, spiraling outwards from the center, allowing the disinfectant to remain for about one minute.Ensure the disinfected area is larger than three centimeters in diameter. To embed the needles, begin by selecting three acupoints including EX-UE2, BL-57 and SP-6. Using sterilized tweezers, grip the press needle's edge.Position the needle over a chosen acupoint, and firmly press its tail with the right thumb within one second. Once the needle is inserted, gently rotate it 20 to 25 times clockwise at 40 to 50 times per minute, followed by counterclockwise rotations at the same speed. Secure the needle at the acupoint with tape.Apply up and down floating pressure on the needle tail. To remove the needles, carefully remove the tape after disinfecting hands. Then gently separate the needle base from the skin using tweezers.Once detached, gently pull out the needle using the tweezers. Upon completion, disinfect the affected skin with an iodophor cotton swab. Apply pressure with a sterile cotton swab if bleeding occurs.Following the procedure, execute the seven step hand washing method for disinfection. If the needle's broken end is flat or slightly depressed, squeeze the skin downward with the left thumb and index finger to expose the needle, then remove it using tweezers. To begin ironing, start by disinfecting the operation site.Focus on the CV-29, ST-25, and DU-1 operation sites. Now crush the drug at room temperature and humidity of 40 to 70%using a pulverizer. After pulverization, pack 130 grams of the drug into a gauze bag, and soak it in water until fully saturated.Heat the gauze bag for two minutes in a microwave oven at 90 to 110 degrees Celsius, then cool it to 40 to 45 degrees Celsius before wrapping the medicated gauze bag securely with a treatment towel. Place both hands on the sides of the gauze bag, then straighten your elbows, leaning forward to apply gentle pressure. When the abdomen sinks by three to five centimeters, hold for five seconds, allowing heat to penetrate the skin, then slowly release.Next, massage with the medicine bag, circling clockwise 60 times and counterclockwise 60 times, each rotation lasting one to two seconds. After the operation, cover the treated area, keeping it warm. Reuse the medicinal bag up to four times.To manage burns limited below a deep partial degree, promptly rinse the affected area with flowing cold water for 30 minutes. Disinfect the damaged spot with iodophor swabs. Cover it with gauze, and secure it with medical tape.Apply antibiotic ointment if the area is large. Patients treated with acupoint needle embedding combined with ironing had relatively lower VAS scores after the first defecation. Patients treated with traditional Chinese medicine were in less pain on the fifth day post-surgery and on the discharge day compared to the control group.The treatment group showed greater decrease in VAS scores between the first to fifth day post-surgery. A rigorous procedure ensures the effectiveness of the treatment while eliminating most complications. When the treatment is ineffective, or central allergesic can be applied.Our goal is to relieve the patient's medical pain after the anal surgery. This protocol lies the foundation for the scientific study of the traditional ethnomedicine. It provides a standardized operation technique for the subsequent in-depth research.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

A Mouse Model of Orthopedic Surgery to Study Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Tissue Regeneration

Surgery is commonly used to improve and maintain quality of life. Unfortunately, in vulnerable patients such as the elderly, complications may occur and significantly diminish the outcome. Indeed, after routine orthopedic surgery to repair a fracture, as many as 50% of elderly patients suffer from neurologic complications like delirium. Also, the capacity to heal and regenerate tissue after surgery decreases with age, and can impact the quality of fracture repair and even osseous integration of implants. Thus, a better understanding of mechanisms that drive these age-dependent changes could provide strategic targets to minimize risk for such complications and optimize outcomes. Here, we introduce a clinically relevant mouse model of tibial fracture. The postoperative changes in these mice mimic some of the cognitive impairments commonly observed after routine orthopedic surgery in humans. Briefly, an incision is performed in the right hind limb under strictly aseptic conditions. Muscles are disassociated, and a 0.38-mm stainless steel pin is inserted into the upper crest of the tibia, inside the intramedullary canal. Osteotomy is then performed, and the wound is stapled. We have used this model to investigate the effects of surgical trauma on postoperative neuroinflammation and behavioral changes. By applying this fracture model in combination with parabiosis, a surgical model in which 2 mice are anastomosed, we have studied cells and secreted factors that systemically rejuvenate organ function and tissue regeneration after injury. By following our step-by-step protocol, these models can be reproduced with high fidelity, and can be adapted to interrogate many biologic pathways that are altered by surgical trauma.

This protocol describes a mouse model of orthopedic surgery that has been used to study mechanisms of postoperative neuroinflammation and behavioral changes, and when combined with parabiosis, to study tissue regeneration during aging.

Surgery is commonly used to improve and maintain quality of life. Unfortunately, in vulnerable patients such as the elderly, complications may occur and ...

Mechanical Micronization of Lipoaspirates for Regenerative Therapy

Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) has become a regenerative tool for various diseases; however, legislation strictly regulates the clinical application of cell products using collagenase. Here, we present a protocol to generate an injectable mixture of SVF cells and native extracellular matrix from adipose tissue by a purely mechanical process. Lipoaspirates are put into a centrifuge and spun at 1,200 x g for 3 min. The middle layer is collected and separated into two layers (high-density fat at the bottom and low-density fat on the top). The upper layer is directly emulsified by intersyringe shifting, at a rate of 20 mL/s for 6x to 8x. The emulsified fat is centrifuged at 2,000 x g for 3 min, and the sticky substance under the oil layer is collected and defined as the extracellular matrix (ECM)/SVF-gel. The oil on the top layer is collected. Approximately 5 mL of oil is added to 15 mL of high-density fat and emulsified by intersyringe shifting, at a rate of 20 mL/s for 6x to 8x. The emulsified fat is centrifuged at 2,000 x g for 3 min, and the sticky substance is also ECM/SVF-gel. After the transplantation of the ECM/SVF-gel into nude mice, the graft is harvested and assessed by histologic examination. The result shows that this product has the potential to regenerate into normal adipose tissue. This procedure is a simple, effective mechanical dissociation procedure to condense the SVF cells embedded in their natural supportive ECM for regenerative purposes.

Here, we present a protocol to obtain stromal vascular fraction from adipose tissue through a series of mechanical processes, which include emulsification and multiple centrifugations.

Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) has become a regenerative tool for various diseases; however, legislation strictly regulates the clinical application of ...

A Postoperative Evaluation Guideline for Computer-Assisted Reconstruction of the Mandible

Valid comparisons of postoperative accuracy results in computer-assisted reconstruction of the mandible are difficult due to heterogeneity in imaging modalities, mandibular defect classification, and evaluation methodologies between studies. This guideline uses a step-by-step approach guiding the process of imaging, classification of mandibular defects and volume assessment of three-dimensional (3D) models, after which a legitimized quantitative accuracy evaluation method can be performed between the postoperative clinical situation and the preoperative virtual plan. The condyles and the vertical and horizontal corners of the mandible are used as bony landmarks to define virtual lines in the computer-assisted surgery (CAS) software. Between these lines the axial, coronal, and both sagittal mandibular angles are calculated on both pre- and postoperative 3D models of the (neo)mandible and subsequently the deviations are calculated. By superimposing the postoperative 3D model to the preoperative virtually planned 3D model, which is fixed to the XYZ axis, the deviation between pre- and postoperative virtually planned dental implant positions can be calculated. This protocol continues and specifies an earlier publication of this evaluation guideline.

Here, we propose a practical, feasible and reproducible evaluation guideline for computer-assisted reconstruction of the mandible in order to create uniformity between studies regarding postoperative accuracy evaluation. This protocol continues and specifies an earlier publication of this evaluation guideline.

Valid comparisons of postoperative accuracy results in computer-assisted reconstruction of the mandible are difficult due to heterogeneity in imaging ...

OP-IVM: Combining In vitro Maturation after Oocyte Retrieval with Gynecological Surgery

The use of in vitro maturation (IVM) before gynecological operation (OP-IVM) is an extension of conventional IVM that combines IVM following oocyte retrieval with routine gynecological surgery. OP-IVM is suitable for patients undergoing benign gynecological surgery who have the need for fertility preservation (FP) or infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). In the operating room, patients undergoing benign gynecological surgery are first anesthetized and receive ultrasound-guided immature follicle aspiration (IMFA) treatment. As the subsequent gynecological surgery is performed, the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) are examined, and the immature COCs are transferred into the IVM medium and cultured for 28-32 hours in the IVF laboratory. After assessment, mature oocytes in the MII stage will be selected and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for FP or fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for IVF-ET. By combining IVM with gynecological surgery, immature oocytes that would have been discarded can be saved and used for assisted reproductive technology (ART). The procedure, significance and critical aspects of OP-IVM are described in this article.

In vitro maturation (IVM) before gynecological operation (OP-IVM) combines IVM following oocyte retrieval with routine gynecological surgery and serves as an extension of conventional IVM applications for fertility preservation.

The use of in vitro maturation (IVM) before gynecological operation (OP-IVM) is an extension of conventional IVM that combines IVM following oocyte ...

Lung Rapid Recovery Procurement Combined with Abdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion in Controlled Donation after Circulatory Death

Controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) has contributed to increasing donor numbers all over the world. Experiences published in the last years confirm that the outcomes after lung transplantation from cDCD are similar to those from brain death donors; however, the utilization of lungs from asystole donors remains low. Several reasons may be involved: different legal frameworks among countries and centers with different premortem interventions, inadequate lung donor care before procurement, or even poor experience with cDCD procedures and protocols.
Initially, the rapid recovery technique was commonly employed for the procurement of thoracic and abdominal organs in cDCD, but, in the last decade, abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (ANRP) with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation devices has become a useful method to restore blood flow to abdominal organs, allowing their quality improvement and their functional assessment prior to transplantation. This makes the donation procedure more complex and generates doubts about injury to the grafts due to dual temperature.
The aim of this article is to describe a protocol based on a single center experience with Maastricht III donors combining lung cooling rapid recovery in the thorax and abdominal normothermic regional perfusion. Tips and tricks focused on premortem interventions and lung procurement procedure techniques are explained. This may help to minimize the reluctance among professionals to use this combined technique and encourage other donor centers to use it, despite the increased complexity of the procedure.

The protocol combines a lung cooling rapid recovery technique with abdominal normothermic regional perfusion for abdominal graft procurement in controlled asystole donors, which is a safe and useful method to expand the donor pool.

Controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) has contributed to increasing donor numbers all over the world. Experiences published in the last years ...

Application of Laparoscopic Hepatectomy Combined with Intraoperative Microwave Ablation in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis

Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a common treatment for colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Previously, a sufficient number of functional liver masses had to be maintained during laparoscopic hepatectomy, with a residual liver volume of &gt;40% in cirrhotic patients and &gt;30% in non-cirrhotic patients. The high incidence of complications such as bleeding, bile leakage, or liver failure due to the exposure and difficulty of the resection of specific liver segments such as S2 and S7 reduces the success rate of liver resection. At present, microwave ablation is mainly applied in the treatment of liver metastasis using a percutaneous approach, which makes it difficult to identify hidden parts or small lesions. For some liver segments, the percutaneous puncture of liver segment 7 (S7) is likely to pass through the thoracic cavity, and the percutaneous puncture of liver segment 2 (S2) adjacent to the diaphragm is likely to injure the diaphragm and heart; these issues restrict the application of percutaneous ablation in colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Considering multiple lesions, laparoscopic microwave ablation combined with hepatectomy was performed in this study. The location of the lesions was determined by contrast-enhanced ultrasound under laparoscopy, and small lesions that were difficult to detect before the operation were identified. For the scattered lesions, which had diameters less than 3 cm and were difficult to resect, ablation was adopted to substitute hepatectomy. This technique helped to more explicitly locate the tumors, simplified the operation procedures, reduced the risk of complications such as bleeding and bile leakage, shortened the operation time, accelerated the postoperative recovery, significantly improved the success rate of operation, and enhanced the clinical prognosis of colorectal cancer liver metastasis by surgical resection.

This protocol describes the laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases combined with ultrasound-guided microwave ablation. This technique can safely, effectively, and accurately treat refractory liver metastases &lt;3 cm, reduce postoperative complications, and accelerate the postoperative rehabilitation of patients.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a common treatment for colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Previously, a sufficient number of functional liver masses had to ...

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. Constipation that reduces the quality of life and triggers the risk of diseases is a common concomitant symptom in patients with COPD. Currently, western medical treatment does not achieve the desired results for patients. A high recurrence rate accompanies it, whereas traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and rich experience in treating chronic diseases. Both acupoint application and acupoint massage are characteristic therapies of TCM, with minor side effects, high safety, simple operation, and outstanding advantages. They are effective in treating constipation for patients with COPD and are considered an ideal alternative therapy for patients with chronic constipation. The purpose of this article is to introduce the method of acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for the treatment of constipation in patients with COPD, including the selection of points, items, treatment time, and operation procedure.

Here we demonstrate acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for treating constipation in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. ...

Acupuncture Stimulation of Ears to Alleviate Sleeping Disorders in COPD Patients

Auricular Acupuncture as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Sleep Disorders

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent and irreversible airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. It has a wide spectrum of complications, and sleep disorders, as part of it, are common in severe cases, especially in elderly patients. Long-term lack of sleep may lead to the aggravation of the original disease, reducing patients' quality of life. Benzodiazepines are mainly used for symptomatic treatment of COPD combined with sleep disorders. However, such drugs have the side effect of respiratory central inhibition and could probably aggravate hypoxia symptoms. Auricular acupuncture is a special method of treating physical and psychosomatic dysfunctions by stimulating specific points in the ear. This article explains the specific methods of clinical operation of auricular acupuncture in detail, including assessment of patient eligibility, medical devices used, acupuncture points, course of treatment, post-treatment care, responses to emergencies, etc. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment scale (CAT) were used as the observational index of this method. So far, clinical reports have proved that auricular acupuncture has a definite curative effect in the treatment of COPD combined with sleep disorders, and its advantages of simple operation, few adverse reactions are worthy of further study and promotion, which provide a reference for the clinical treatment of such diseases.

Author Spotlight: Utilizing Traditional Chinese Acupuncture of the Ear to Improve Sleep Disorders 

This protocol introduces an effective method to improve the sleep condition of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and alleviate cough symptoms by using auricular acupuncture techniques to percutaneously stimulate specific acupoints in the patients' ears.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent and irreversible airflow limitation and chronic ...

A 3-Channel Endoscopic Technique for Lumbar Stenosis and Contralateral Herniation

The Third Channel-Assisted Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Technique for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Combined with Contralateral Disc Herniation

Unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) spine surgery is an emerging minimally invasive surgical (MIS) technique that has gained popularity for treating lumbar spinal stenosis, particularly in Eastern Asia. The traditional UBE technique, with two portals on one side, can achieve successful unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (ULBD) and, therefore, demonstrates favorable clinical outcomes. However, in the case of lumbar spinal stenosis combined with contralateral disc herniation, it is very difficult to remove the contralateral disc herniation, especially the loose disc fragment within the deep disc. Here, a third channel of the traditional UBE technique was developed to do the discectomy within the ipsilateral endoscopic vision, with which the instruments can go vertically into the contralateral disc, allowing easy discectomy. This technique can not only achieve adequate decompression of the bilateral spinal canal but also effectively remove contralateral herniated disc fragments. This technique avoids performing another UBE procedure on the opposite side, which can potentially shorten the duration of the operation, minimize blood loss and tissue damage, and ensure sufficient neural decompression. This paper will introduce the indications and surgical operation procedures, as well as present a classical case report and follow-up data, to facilitate the application of the third channel-assisted UBE (T-UBE) technique for spine surgeons.

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Potential of TUBE Technique in Spinal Surgery

Here, we present the third channel-assisted UBE technique, which allows for the vertical removal of herniated disc fragments. This technique can effectively address the limitations of traditional UBE techniques. This article will systematically elaborate on this procedure.

Unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) spine surgery is an emerging minimally invasive surgical (MIS) technique that has gained popularity for treating ...

Murine Pain Behavioral Testing to Study the Effect of Tuina Therapy

To conduct the Von Fray test, begin by placing the rats in a transparent tempered glass compartment on a metal wire grid stand at a height of 40 centimeters. Next, measure the mechanical withdrawal threshold with Von Frey electronic fibers. Stimulate the rat's foot until it reacts noticeably, such as by lifting the leg or avoiding it.To assess the paw withdrawal latency, or PWL using the Hargreaves method, focus the spotlight on the center of the rat's foot and press the start button. Monitor the rat for behaviors such as foot retraction or paw licking, and press the start button again to record the time. Perform the test on the same hind limb three consecutive times.After 17 days of Tuina therapy, a significant difference was observed in paw withdrawal thresholds between the CCD rats receiving Tuina therapy and the untreated CCD group. The rats in the CCD group receiving Tuina therapy showed improvement in pain threshold from the beginning of treatment. Thermal pain thresholds differed significantly between the CCD group and the Tuina group from day 14.