Overview

This randomized controlled trial will test the hypothesis that patients receiving an intraoperative auricular acupuncture protocol will require less postoperative opioid analgesic use compared to those who do not receive acupuncture in the setting of a multimodal analgesic protocol for patients receiving surgery to repair distal radius fractures at a Level 1 trauma center under brachial plexus anesthesia with sedation.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient ages 18-64
• American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status 1, 2, or 3
• Patients scheduled to undergo distal radius ORIF under brachial plexus nerve block

Exclusion Criteria:

• Renal dysfunction (Serum Cr > 1.2) - excluded due to potential for altered metabolism of anesthetic and perioperative medications
• Allergy to any of the standard anesthetic agents
• Patient inability to properly communicate with investigators
• Patient or surgeon refusal