RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07271147

Effects of taVNS Combined With Dexmedetomidine on POVN

The Effect of Dexmedetomidine Combined With Percutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Female Laparoscopic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sponsor

Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University

Enrollment

176 participants

Start Date

Nov 7, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Postoperative nausea and vomiting

Summary

To explore the effects and possible mechanisms of dexmedetomidine combined with taVNS on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in female patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 65 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Women aged 18 to 65;
Elective laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia;
Classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I to II;
Capable of understanding the study procedures and various assessment scales and able to effectively communicate with the researchers;
Willing to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria10

Patients with ASA anesthesia classification ≥ III;
Poorly controlled hypertension, atrioventricular block ≥ second degree, obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²);
Pregnant or breastfeeding;
Known allergy to drugs used in the study protocol, history of traumatic brain injury, history of gastrointestinal surgery;
Liver or kidney dysfunction (liver enzymes or creatinine ≥ 1.5 times the normal value), alcoholism or drug abuse, mental illness, use of antiemetics, opioids, psychoactive drugs, or corticosteroids within 24 hours before surgery;
Patients with implanted stimulators (such as pacemakers, implantable vagus nerve stimulators, deep brain stimulators, spinal cord stimulators, etc.), cochlear implants, or metal implants (except in dental cases);
Skin lesions or dermatological diseases at the site of electrical stimulation;
Preoperative heart rate < 50 bpm or the presence of sinoatrial node disease or second-degree or higher atrioventricular block;
Patients unable to cooperate with assessments;
Patients participating in other clinical trials.

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Interventions

DEVICETranscutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulator

Intervention Timing of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulator: The intervention will begin 30 minutes before anesthesia induction and continue until the end of the surgery, terminating after the removal of the endotracheal tube in the PACU. The stimulation parameters are set as follows: frequency 25 Hz, pulse width 200 μs, 30 seconds on / 30 seconds off, with the current intensity set to the maximum amplitude the patient can tolerate (just below the pain threshold).

DRUGDexmedetomidine

Dexmedetomidine was administered intravenously by infusion pump (0.5 μg/kg over 10 minutes, followed by continuous infusion at 0.4 μg/kg/h) in combination with taVNS (initiated 30 minutes before anesthesia induction and terminated after tracheal tube removal in the PACU upon the conclusion of the surgery).