High-frequency, high-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation compared with opioids for pain relief after gynecological surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Opioids are important for postoperative analgesia but their use can be associated with numerous side effects. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used for acute pain treatment and has dose-dependent analgesic effects, and therefore presents an alternative to intravenous (iv) opioids for postoperative pain relief. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare high-frequency, high-intensity (HFHI or intense) TENS to iv opioids with regard to postoperative pain intensity, recovery time in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and opioid consumption after elective gynecological surgery.

Keywords

• transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
• intravenous opioids
• postoperative pain
• acute pain
• gynecologic surgery