The effects of transcutaneous eletric nerve stimulation (tens) in thoracic and abdominal postoperative surgeries: literature review and case report

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to review the literature concerning the effects of transcutaneous eletric nerve stimulation (TENS) following major thoracic and abdominal surgeries. TENS has been used as a complementary analgesics for pain relief after surgery. We described the use of TENS in patients undergoing laparotomy at the Clinical Hospital of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Four patients were enrolled in this observation. Patients were evaluated on day before surgery and on the first and second
postoperative days. TENS using conventional modulation was performed
twice a day, during thirty minutes. Visual Analogue Standardized Scale assessed pain. Patient number 1 had impairments on pulmonary function as described on the literature, with decreases in FEV, FVC FEF/FVC and peak-flow after surgery. The results observed on patient number 2 showed increase of values on the first postoperative day followed by decrease, close to the obtained on the preoperative evaluation. All patients showed decrease of pain associated with movement. This improvement is in accord with the hypothesis about the effectiveness of TENS on the control of pain related to voluntary movement, not necessarily on pain from organ origin. The use of TENS leads to a best patient's cooperation, which is very important to reach the therapeutics and functional goals during physical therapy.