'Stimulation-therapy' has an activating effect on analgetic systems. Electrotherapy has also a favourable effect on pain sources and pain conduction. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study should test 40 patients on effectiveness of an adjuvant electrostimulation therapy after thoracotomy. A study group with segmental placement of electrodes was compared with a control group with non-segmental electrode placement. Patients received a standardized pain control regimen consisting of analgesics and transcutaneous electric nerve block (TNB; monophasic current, 30 Hz frequency, current output individualy regulated by the patient up to a maximum of 40 mA). Because of the difficulty to evaluate a subjective indicator such as pain, we chose to utilize total medication administered as a quantifier of suffered pain. The study group required less total doses of Propyphenazone/Phenobarbital (87 mg) versus the control group (134 mg). The total dose of Piritramid required in the study group was significantly lower than the control (13 mg versus 33 mg, p = 0.0353). There was no significant difference in Tramadol utilization in the two groups. In conclusion transcutaneous electric nerve block is a noninvasive, inexpensive, efficacious and easy method to reduce analgesic consumption in postoperative pain therapy.

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