Acupuncture at Cuanzhu (BL2) for persistent hiccups following laryngeal mask airway insertion under general anesthesia: A case series.

RATIONALE: Pharmacological management of intraoperative hiccups under general anesthesia is often limited by adverse effects. This series evaluates BL2 acupuncture as a nonpharmacological alternative for persistent hiccups when pharmacotherapy is contraindicated. PATIENT CONCERNS: Five patients (27-46 years) developed persistent hiccups following laryngeal mask airway insertion, compromising surgical safety. DIAGNOSES: Persistent intraoperative hiccups refractory to conventional management. INTERVENTIONS: Bilateral BL2 acupuncture using standardized manipulation techniques. OUTCOMES: Hiccups ceased within 4-8 minutes (median: 6; interquartile range [IQR]: 4.5-7.0). One recurrence occurred at 30 minutes postoperatively. No adverse events were recorded. Minimal fluctuations in bispectral index (median: 3; IQR: 2.0-4.5) and mean arterial pressure (median: 4; IQR: 3.5-4.5) were observed. LESSONS: BL2 acupuncture offers a technically straightforward, effective intervention for intraoperative hiccups with preserved hemodynamic stability, serving as a viable nonpharmacological alternative when conventional medications are unsuitable.