Am J Chin Med. 1981 Autumn; 9(3): 225-35.

Comparison study between acupuncture and pentazocine analgesic and respiratory post-operative effects.

Facco E, Manani G, Angel A, Vincenti E, Tambuscio B, Ceccherelli F, Troletti G, Ambrosio F, Giron GP.

The authors studied the effects of acupuncture and pentazocine on post-operative respiratory function and pain management on patients hysterectomized by means of a subumbilical midline incision. The acupunctural technique consisted of GB-26, St-36, Sp-6 and auricular Shen-Men bilateral electrostimulation for 40 minutes. The analgesic effect of acupuncture was equivalent to that of 30 mg pentazocine, yet the most important effect of acupuncture consisted in a net increase of vital capacity during the period of acupuncture analgesia that lasted for 3-4 hr after stimulation; contrariwise, pentazocine did not cause any vital capacity increment and vital capacity remained at the levels observed prior to narcotic administration.