Abstract: Objective Compared with conventional western medicine, to evaluate the clinical effect of external treatment of hiccup after operation represented by screw acupuncture. Methods A randomized controlled trial (RCTS) was used to include 60 eligible subjects, who were randomly divided into two groups according to the random number table method. Experimental group (n=30) : On the basis of routine nursing, the auricular acupuncture point was used, with auricular (diaphragm), stomach, Shenmen and other acupoints as the main points. The needle can be changed once every 3 days, 3 times 1 course of treatment, 6 times for 2 sessions. Control group (n=30) : on the basis of routine care, mainly intramuscular injection of drugs, such as Ritalin 10 mg, etc. 20 consecutive treatments. Symptom score of hiccup was used as the observation index and the basis of curative effect. Results After treatment, the frequency of hiccup in the test group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). There were statistical significance in the onset time, healing time and hiccup scores between the two groups (P<0.05). In the experimental group, 20 cases (66.67%) were significantly effective, 6 cases (20.00%) were effective and 4 cases (13.34%) were ineffective. In the control group, there were 15 cases (50.00%) of obvious effect, 4 cases (13.34%) of effective cases, and 11 cases (36.67%) of ineffective cases. Non-parametric test was used, which had statistical significance(R=6.68,P<0.05), indicating that the clinical effect of acupuncture at auricular point on postoperative hiccup was better than that of the control group. Conclusion Compared with conventional western medicine, acupuncture intervention of hiccup after operation has significant clinical effect, worthy of clinical application.

Key words: screw needle, postoperative hiccup, clinical effect, randomized controlled trial