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Influence Of General Anesthesia And
Surgical Intervention On The Electrical Parameters
Of Auricular Organ Projection Areas
Jan Z. Szopinski, MD
Szczepan Lukasiewicz, MD
Georg P. Lochner, BS
Dariusz J. Nasiek, MD
Barbara Krupa-Jezierska, MD
Piotr Warakomski, MD
Krzysztof Kielan, MD
ABSTRACT
Background Pathology of a particular organ causes related skin areas to rectify electrical currents once the resistance breakthrough effect has been induced in the skin.
Objectives To confirm the skin electrical rectification phenomena experimentally, and to determine the influence of state of consciousness.
Design Comparative prospective case study of the influence of general anesthesia and internal organ damage on the skin electrical rectification phenomenon at related organ projection areas (OPAs).
Setting Surgery department at a teaching hospital in Poland, and obstetrics and gynecology department in South Africa.
Patients Forty-five inpatients admitted for surgery, with a total of 135 OPAs subjected to electrical measurements.
Intervention Electrical rectification at OPAs during successive stages of general anesthesia and surgical intervention.
Main Outcome Measures The ratio of the skin resistance measured at the OPA before, during, and after surgery with a negatively polarized point electrode to the skin resistance, measured at the same area with the same electrode polarized positively (after obtaining the breakthrough effect).
Results The degree of rectification measured at OPAs related to diseased organs was significantly (P<.001) higher than at OPAs related to healthy organs. Premedication, general anesthesia, and skin incision did not influence the results. A rapid and statistically significant (P<.001) increase in the degree of rectification was observed at OPAs undergoing direct surgical intervention. Patient consciousness did not affect the findings.
Conclusion Organ projection areas (acupuncture points) exist on the skin surface. Damage to an internal organ causes an immediate increase in the degree of electrical rectification exhibited by the related projection areas. State of consciousness does not affect this phenomenon.
KEY WORDS
Skin Resistance, Breakthrough Effect, Electrical Rectification, Organ Projection Area, Acupuncture Point, Auriculotherapy
INTRODUCTION
connection exists between the state of health of specific internal organs and the electrical characteristics of related, although sometimes remote, skin areas. These skin areas are referred to as organ projection areas (OPAs) and include acupuncture points. Pathology of a particular organ causes a related OPA to rectify electrical currents, once the resistance "breakthrough effect" has been induced in the skin.1-9 The breakthrough effect is a rapid reversible decrease in skin resistance that occurs under particular electrical stimulation conditions. Only after it transpires, the skin resistance measured by means of a positively polarized point electrode is significantly higher for diseased organs' projection areas when compared with the resistance for the same, but negatively polarized measuring electrode (rectification/diode phenomenon). This phenomenon is not observed in the projection areas for healthy organs.
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Figure 1. Location of auricular organ projection areas related to gallbladder (1), appendix (2), stomach (3), uterus (4), heart (5), and lungs (6)
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Pathology of an internal organ also increases the impedance of corresponding OPAs.1-3,6-9 The location of the skin zone, where a high degree of rectification and increased impedance is observed, indicates which particular organ is diseased. The degree of rectification or difference in impedance indicates the extent of the pathological process within this organ. The accuracy of organ electrodermal diagnostics (OED), which uses these phenomena, has been clinically proven.6,7
The objectives of this study were to confirm the findings of skin electrical rectification phenomena experimentally, and to determine the influence of the patient's state of consciousness on these phenomena.
METHODS
The study was performed on a group of 30 inpatients at Tychy Teaching Hospital's surgical department (Poland), and 15 inpatients at Coronation Academic Hospital's gynecological department (South Africa). The surgical group consisted of 14 men and 16 women, with a mean age of 48 years (SD, 7 years); 16 patients were admitted for cholecystectomy due to gallstones, 8 patients for appendectomy, and 6 for partial gastrectomy due to early stomach cancer. The gynecological group's mean age was 25 years (SD, 4 years), admitted for dilatation and curettage after miscarriage. All patients received a written information sheet and provided oral consent for this study.
The initial value of skin resistance rectification (after breakthrough effect) was estimated for each patient at the auricular OPA corresponding to the diseased organ (Figure 1). The same procedure was done on 2 control OPAs corresponding to healthy organs (heart, lungs). A prototype OED device (Diagnotronics; South Africa patent No. 98/05900 [1998]) was used to document the measurements (Figure 2). A dry brass-point electrode (diameter, 1 mm) was placed on the particular OPA, and a brass reference electrode (area about 2 cm2 covered with a conductive gel) was placed on the patient's hand. The point electrode was mounted on a spring to ensure that the pressure applied was constant and repeatable. It was polarized negatively and the potential was increased until the breakthrough effect was observed (usually between 7-15 V). The current was then adjusted to 25 mA and the skin resistance was measured. The polarity of the point electrode was inverted (set to same voltage at which the skin resistance measurement was done, but positively polarized) and a 2nd resistance measurement done. These 2 measurement values, taken from the same skin point, were used to calculate the final result using the formula: Rectification Ratio= [1-(1st Measurement)/(2nd Measurement)] X 100%. This measurement regimen was performed automatically by the device with the final rectification ratio reflecting the pathology intensity (normal range: 0%-60%).
Initial OED measurements taken before premedication (with diazepam or midazolam) were followed by measurements after premedication, under general anesthesia (with halothane), after the skin incision, and during surgical manipulation of the diseased organ.
To prevent bias, a group of independent examiners with different medical backgrounds was appointed to perform the measurements.
The examiners did not know which OPA corresponded with which internal organs.
Statistical analyses were performed in Microsoft Excel. A 2-tailed t test was used to calculate statistical significance.
RESULTS
Rectification ratios obtained at OPAs related to diseased organs before premedication were approximately 3 times higher than readings from control points (Table 1). Premedication, general anesthesia, and skin incision did not influence the results. However, direct surgical manipulation of the diseased organs resulted in a rapid and statistically significant (P<.001) increase in the rectification ratios observed in the related skin areas. In addition, rectification ratios were significant (P<.001) for all conditions vs control.
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Table 1. Organ Electrodermal Diagnostic Results During Successive Stages of General Anesthesia and Surgical Intervention
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Rectification Ratio, Mean (SD), %
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Examined Organ Projection Areas (OPAs)
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No. of OPAs
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Before Premedication
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After Premedication
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Under General Anesthesia
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After Skin Incision
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After Surgery
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Gallbladder
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16
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71 (5)
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72 (5)
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72 (5)
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72 (5)
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91 (7)*
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Appendix
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8
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86 (5)
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86 (4)
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87 (5)
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87 (4)
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94 (4)*
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Stomach
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6
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-4
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68 (3)
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70 (3)
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71 (4)
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95 (5)*
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Uterus
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15
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80 (6)
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81 (5)
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81 (6)
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—-
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91 (5)*
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Total
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45
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76 (8) †
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78 (8) †
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77 (8) †
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76 (8) †
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(6) †
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Control
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90
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23 (13)
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21 (13)
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23 (14)
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23 (14)
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23 (14)
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*Statistically significant difference (P<.001) in comparison with 4 earlier stages.
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†Statistically significant difference (P<.001) in comparison with control.
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DISCUSSION
Various specific relationships between the skin and internal organs are known. Pain sensitivity (e.g., as assessed by means of Head's dermatomes), skin temperature, hydration, and color, as well as electrical parameters, may be changed by internal organ pathology. Correlations between skin electrical resistance and psychological status (psychogalvanic reaction) are used in polygraph tests. The impact of endocrine function and autonomic innervation of particular dermatomes on the skin's electrical resistance is also well known. The electrical current perception threshold is influenced by many diseases.
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Figure 2. Monitoring of electrical changes at organ projection areas during surgical operation using the prototype OED device
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Many authors have investigated the effect of particular organ pathology on the electrical parameters of the corresponding skin areas.10-20 Diagnostic methods based on measurements of electrical potential, resistance, and impedance of these zones have been proposed. However, their diagnostic accuracy has not been proven and reproducibility has not been consistent. Some of these methods use specific bioelectrical properties of acupuncture points.10,12-21
A wide variety of measurement techniques and current parameters are used in the above-mentioned methods. The results obtained often depend on perspiration, which is influenced by the patient's muscular tension, emotional condition, skin hydration, procedure duration, environmental temperature, and humidity, as well as the pressure of the measuring electrode. Therefore, these methods did not find widespread application in contemporary medicine, and the authors' ideas did not create a unified and systematic scientific basis for the use of bioelectrical skin properties for organ diagnostics.
OED is the first method of this kind that has undergone double-blind clinical trials with positive results.6,7 It uses the breakthrough effect as the key to obtaining electrical skin resistance measurements of OPAs/acupuncture points which correlate with the condition of a related organ. The breakthrough effect is probably the result of the creation of highly conductive microscopic pores in the lipid layers of the stratum corneum by an electrical field of sufficient magnitude.9,22
Only after the breakthrough effect is reached, the skin resistance measured by means of a positively polarized electrode is significantly higher for the diseased organs' projection areas, compared with the resistance measured with an electrode polarized negatively.1-9 The ratio of these 2 measurements is not affected by all the factors that influence the actual skin resistance values; therefore, a universal point of reference is established.
The results of our research directly confirm the presence of OPAs/acupuncture points on the skin surface, and a functional relationship between the condition of related internal organs and the electrical impedance properties of these skin areas. The damage to the organ, caused by surgical intervention, immediately induced changes in the electrical parameters of corresponding OPAs/acupuncture points. This relationship was not affected by the state of consciousness of the patient. Therefore, OED could be used for the diagnosis of unconscious patients or small children who cannot communicate their discomfort. Actually, the rectification phenomenon is still visible on fresh corpses.23
The observation that organ damage causes immediate changes in the electrical properties of remote but very specific skin zones suggests that the information must be transmitted through the nervous system. Therefore, OED could be said to gain direct access to the body's information network.9
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors express their gratitude to Professor J. Hoffmeyer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Coronation Hospital, South Africa, and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, for his kind assistance and advice.
REFERENCES
- Szopinski J, Sierak T, Niezbecki A, Kaniewski M. Influence of selected internal diseases on electrical parameters of acupuncture points (Polish). In: Sapinski W, ed. Diary of 1st National Conference on Acupuncture, 23-24 September, Warsaw. WSZ, Kalisz; 1982:54.
- Szopinski J, Sierak T, Szopinska H, Ciszek M. Bioelektrische und bionergetische Eigenschaften und morphologische Strukturen der Akupunkturpunkte und Akupunkturmeridiane. In: Bischko J, ed. Handbuch der Akupunktur und Aurikulotherapie. Part 25.2.0., Heidelberg, Germany: Haug Verlag; 1985:105.
- Szopinski J, Sierak T, Kaniewski M, Niezbecki A. Der Einfluss ausgewahlter Krankheiten auf die Bioelektrischen Eigenschaften der Akupunkturpunkte. Dtsch Z Aku.1988;5:13.
- Sierak T, Szopinski J. Universal device for electrodermal organ diagnostics and electrotherapy. Probl Tech Med. 1987;18:255.
- Sierak T, Szopinski J. Universelles elektronisches Gerat fur die automatische Elektropunkturdiagnostik und Elektroreflextherapie. Dtsch Z Aku. 1988;5:112.
- Szopinski J. Application of the Organ Electrodermal Diagnostics own method in chosen internal diseases [thesis]. Katowice: Silesian Medical Academy; 1985.
- Szopinski J, Pantanowitz D, Jaros GG. Diagnostic accuracy of organ electrodermal diagnostics. S Afr Med J. 1998;88:146-150.
- Szopinski J, Sierak T, Lochner G. Organ Electrodermal diagnostics: new direction of noninvasive organ diagnostics. S Afr Med J. In press.
- Szopinski J, Sierak T, Lochner G. Neurophysiological foundations of organ electrodermal diagnostics, acupuncture, TENS and other reflexive therapies. S Afr Med J. In press.
- Garnuszewski Z. Acupuncture in Contemporary Medicine. (Polish). Warsaw, Poland: Amber; 1997.
- Glaser-Tuerk M. Specielle lokale Teste zum Nachwels aktiver Herde im Kieferbereich. Oester Z Stom. 1968;65:222.
- Hyodo MD. Ryodoraku Treatment and Objective Approach to Acupuncture.
Osaka, Japan: 1975.
- Kenyon JN. Diagnostic techniques using bioenergetic recording methods: the science of bioenergetic regulatory medicine. Am J Acupuncture. 1986;14:5.
- Kohnlechner M. Handbuch der Naturheilkunde. Munich, Germany: Kindler Verlag; 1975.
- Nogier P. Traite d'Auriculotherapie. Moulins-les Metz, France: Maisonneuve; 1968.
- Portnov F. Electropuncture Reflexotherapy. (Russian) Riga: Zinatne Publishing House; 1982.
- Rosenblatt S. The electrodermal characteristics of acupuncture points. Am J Acupuncture. 1982;10:131.
- Szopinski J. The use of bioelectrical properties of skin for organ diagnostics. Wiad Lek. 1989;42:697.
- Tabeyeva O. Manual of Acupuncture Reflexotherapy. (Russian). Moscow, Russia: Meditsina; 1980.
- Voll R. Topographische Lage der Messpunkte der Elektroakupunktur. Uelzen:
ML Publishers; 1968.
- Edmond S. The Listen System. Brampton, Ontario: The Printing Team; 1997.
- Pliquett UF, Gusbeth CA. Perturbation of human skin due to application of high voltage. Bioelectrochemistry Bioenergetics. 2000;51: 41.
- Ciszek M, Szopinski J, Skrzypulec V. Investigations of morphological structure of acupuncture points and meridians. J Tradit Chin Med. 1985;5:
289-292.
AUTHORS' INFORMATION
Dr Jan Z. Szopinski is head of the Pain Clinic, Mayo Centre of Johannesburg, South Africa. Dr Szopinski is the holder of a diploma in Internal Medicine and a master's degree in Physical Medicine. His PhD was the first doctorate in the field of electroacupuncture in Poland.
J. Z. Szopinski, MD, PhD*
P O Box 1042
Fontainebleau 2032, South Africa
Phone/Fax: 27 11 4758185
E-mail: lgeorg@xsinet.co.za
Professor Szczepan Lukasiewicz is head of the Department of General Surgery, Tychy Teaching Hospital, Poland. He is a Specialist Surgeon and the author of numerous research articles.
Professor S. Lukasiewicz, MD
ul. Edukacji 102
43-100 Tychy, Poland
Phone: 048 32 3254302
Georg Lochner is an Electronic Engineer, completing his master's degree in Bioelectronic Engineering at the Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
G.P. Lochner, BS
P O Box 32459
Glenstantia 0010, South Africa
Phone: 072 12 993150
E-mail: s9236236@student.up.ac.za
Dr Dariusz J. Nasiek is Consultant Anesthesiologist at Newport Hospital, Newport, Rhode Island. Dr Nasiek is a specialist in Pain Management, Anti-Aging Medicine, and Acupuncturist in private practice.
Dariusz J. Nasiek, MD
1 Seaview Avenue, Apt 3
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 401-847-6441
E-mail: saranasiek@hotmail.com
Dr Barbara Krupa-Jezierska is a Specialist Pediatrician in private practice, and is affiliated with Maciejow-Zabrze Medical Centre, Poland.
Barbara Krupa-Jezierska, MD
ul. Kondratowicza 1 C
41-804 Zabrze
Poland
Phone: +48 32 2711348
Fax: +48 32 2761429
E-mail: dkrupa@eurometalkhp.pl
Dr Piotr Warakomski is a Neurologist practicing at the Department of Physiology, Silesian Medical School, Poland.
Piotr Warakomski, MD, PhD
Department of Physiology
Silesian Medical School
Jordana 19
40-808 Zabrze, Poland
Phone: +48 32 2723262
Fax: +48 32 2804956
E-mail: katfizjr@slam.katowice.pl
Dr Krzysztof Kielan is a Specialist Psychiatrist at the 1st Department of Psychiatry, Silesian Medical School, Poland.
Krzysztof Kielan, MD
1st Department of Psychiatry
Silesian Medical School
ul. Ziolowa 45/47
40-635 KATOWICE-OCHOJEC
Poland
Phone: +48 32 2059260
*Send all correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Szopinski at the above address.
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