Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)on perioperative serum levels of cytokines and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing radical mastectomy.Methods Forty(ASAⅠ/Ⅱ)female patients undergoing radical mastectomy were randomly divided into two groups(n=20 each).In group E,patients received epidural blockade only.In group H,patients received TEAS plus epidural blockade.In group H,electrical stimulations of bilateral Hegu acupoints(LI4)and Neiguan acupoints(P6)were started from 30 minutes before epidural blockade and continued until the end of operation.Blood sample were taken before(T₀)and the end of(T₁)and 12h(T₂)after operation for determination of serum IL-6,IL-10 and cortisol concentrations in both groups.The postoperative VAS were recorded.Results The two groups were comparable with respect to age,body weight,duration of operation and the amount of fluid infusion and blood loss.Serum cortisol concentration was significantly lower at T₁ and T₂ in group H than that in group E(P＜0.05).The serum IL-6 concentration was significantly increased after operation as compared with baseline in both groups and was significantly lower in group H than that in group E(P＜0.05).The serum IL-10 concentration was significantly higher at T₂ in group H than that in group E(P＜0.05).During 12 hours after operation,VAS of group H was lower than that of group E(P＜0.05).Conclusion TEAS may attenuate cortisol and IL-6/IL-10 responses after surgery.TEAS also has analgesic effect in patients undergoing radical mastectomy.