Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on thromboangiitis.

Methods: The principle of selecting acupoints is as follows. The susceptible points of the related meridians on the ill limb are selected as principal points. Subsidiary points are chosen according to the suffered part as well as symptoms under the principle of selecting acupoints along meridians. The principal points on lower limb are Xuehai (SP10), Yinbai (SP 1) and Maigen. The subsidiary points along meridians include Yinlingquan (SP9) & Diji (SP.8). When the illness occurs in the great toe; in the second or the third toe, Zusanli (ST.36) & Fenglong (ST40); in the forth toe and lateral region of the leg, Yanglingquan (GB34) & Xuanzhong (GB39); in the little toe and the lowest part of the foot, point Taixi (KI3). The principal points on the upper limb are Quchi (LI11), Ximen (PC4) and Qingling (HT2). Shousanli (LI10) is added when the thumb and index finger are mainly affected, and Neiguan (PC6) for middle finger, Tough (HT5) for little finger, Waiguan (TE5) for the forth finger, Daling (PC7) for the forearm and the palm. The manipulation procedure is as follows. No.30, 1-3 cun needles and No.28, 4 cun needles and puncturing method by pinching up the skin were adopted. Using lift-thrust method until Qi comes. Adjust the direction of needles, making the sensation caused by needles reach the ill part. Then apply tonification & reduction technique. In the case of sthenic heat-syndrome, curvingly scraping the needle's handle method is used. The doctor keeps scraping the needle's handle with the force directed outward 10 times (reduction method). In the case of asthenia-cold syndrome, the doctor gently scrapes the needle's handle inward 5 times (tonification method). In the case of asthenia accompanied with sthenia, the doctor scrapes in both directions for the purpose if even tonification & reduction. After all the process is finished, the needle can be withdrawn from the patient. 1-5 points will be used each time. One treatment is done everyday or every other day. One course of treatment consists of 15 treatments. Another course is carried out after an interval of 3-5 days. In ulcerogangrenous stage, as infection exist, sensitive antibiotic can be used according to drug sensitive test in order to restrain infection. In case of megalgia, sedative, analgesic as well as Chinese medicine taken by nasal inspiration can be prescribed. JIA HONG YI XIAO GAO should be applied to the ulcerogangrenous surface.

Results: In this 181 patients' group, 89 patients (49.2%) were cured, obviously effective for 57 patients (31.5%),effective for 31 patients (17.1%) and no effect for 4 patients. The course for the majority of cured patients is within 6 months. There is not obvious difference in the curative rate between the cases of local ischemic stage and disturbance of circulation stage, nor between the cases of disturbance of circulation stage and ulcerogangrenous stage. The long-term effect showed steadiness according to follow-up survey on patient who had quitted treatment from 6 months to 1 year.

By Zhang Huaizhong