[Relief of urinary retention after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer patients by acupressure: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE

To study whether acupressure could relieve urinary retention after radical hysterectomy in cervical cancer patients.

METHODS

A randomized controlled prospective double-blinded trial was carried out in 107 urinary retention patients undergoing grade III radical hysterectomy. They were assigned to Group A (positive acupoints, 40 cases), Group B (negative acupoints, 32 cases) , and Group C (with no acupoints, 35 cases). All patients received protective 115 000 potassium permanganate sitz bath, 15 - 20 min each time, 3 times per day. Patients in Group A received acupressure at positive points [liniao point and Qihai (RN6)] combined points by syndrome typing [Guanyuan (RN4) , Zhongji (RN3) , Shenshu (BL23) , Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Taixi (K13)]. Patients in Group B received negative acupressure at sham-acupoints (for adjusting gastrointestinal functions). Patients in Group C only received conventional sitz bath. All medication was performed 3 times per day, 7 days as one therapeutic course, 21 days in total. The residual urine volume was detected. The recovery time for bladder function was recorded. The average residual urine volume was also recorded at day 7, 14, and 21.

RESULTS

Compared with Group B and C, the time for ureter retention was shortened for mild and severe CKD patients in Group A (P <0. 01). The residual urine volume was also lessened for mild and severe CKD patients in Group A at day 7, 14, and 21 (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical cancer patients could relieve urinary retention by self-acupressure after radical hysterectomy.