Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common problem in patients recovering from anesthesia and surgery. P6 point is the acupressure point for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. We evaluated the efficacy of acupressure at the P6 point in 94 patients undergoing thyroidectomy in a randomized, prospective and placebo-controlled study.

Ninety-four female patients, aged 18 to 60, scheduled for elective thyroidectomy, were randomized to have either placebo band or acupressure band (Sea-Band® UK Ltd., Leicestershire, England, UK) applied to the P6 point of both hands before induction of anesthesia. The acupressure bands removed 24 h later. Postoperative nausea and vomiting was evaluated 1, 6 and 24 h following surgery. In addition, the need for rescue antiemetic medication during 24 h was registered.

The incidence of postoperative nausea was lower in acupressure group at 0-1 h (16.7% vs. 39.1%; P = 0.015) and at 6-24 h (0% vs. 15.2%; P = 0.05). The need for rescue antiemetic medication was also lower at 0-1 h (4.2% vs. 23.9%; P = 0.006), at 1-6 h (6.2% vs. 20.9%; P = 0.039) and at 6-24 h (0% vs. 13%; P = 0.012).

In patients undergoing thyroidectomy, nausea and need of rescue antiemetic medication were reduced by acupressure at the P6 point.