Evaluating Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Postoperative Pain After Video-Assisted Thoracotomy Surgery
Postoperative Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Postoperative Pain focused on measuring VATS, Video-Assisted Thoracotomy, Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Men and women age 18-100 able to give informed consent.
- Able to speak and understand English.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Too confused to provide data or not extubated within 48 hours after surgery.
- Unable to speak and understand English.
- Patients with active internal pacer wires, demand type implanted pacemakers or defibrillator.
- Transplant patients.
- Children, prisoners, any woman who is pregnant.
- Patients that are non-scheduled surgery cases or occurring Saturday or Sunday.
- Ventricular Assisted Device (VAD) patients.
- Know allergies or intolerance to TENS electrodes.
- Patients who have had the Da Vinci robotic assisted minimally invasive procedure.
Sites / Locations
- Mayo Clinic
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
No Intervention
TENS Unit
Control Arm
This arm will be adding the use of the TENS unit for 48 hours in addition to standard care for their post operative pain control. Patient's primary area of postoperative pain was determined by nursing personnel. Four electrodes were placed on or around the area of maximum pain. The TENS unit was turned on, 1 of 5 frequency patterns selected and the impulse turned up until the patient could feel the impulse. The location of the electrodes, the pattern, and/or the intensity of the TENS unit were adjusted until the patient achieved maximum comfort with the sensation.
This arm will have standard care for their post operative pain control.