Acupuncture reduces the time from extubation to ‘ready for discharge’ from the post anaesthesia care unit

This study shows for the first time that acupuncture can shorten the time from extubation to ‘ready for discharge’ from the PACU in gynaecological laparoscopy. Further effects of acupuncture on secondary outcomes of recovery, i.e. shorter time to extubation (awakening) and reduced incidence of vomiting, need to be carefully interpreted.  As recovery is a core process goal of surgery, multidisciplinary evidence-based programs can be encouraged to consider acupuncture as an element in gynaecological laparoscopy.