Auricular acupuncture (AA) could be effective in treating various pain conditions but there has been no trial of AA for the treatment of pain after ambulatory knee surgery. German anaesthesiologists assessed the range of analgesic requirements under AA after ambulatory knee arthroscopy. Twenty patients randomly received a true AA procedure (Lung, Shenmen and Knee points) or sham procedure (three non-acupuncture points on the auricular helix) before ambulatory knee arthroscopy. Permanent press AA needles were retained in situ for 1 day after surgery. Postoperative pain was treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ibuprofen, and weak oral opioid tramadol was used for rescue analgesic medication. The quantity of postoperative analgesics and pain intensity measurements were used to assess the effect of AA. Ibuprofen consumption after surgery in the AA group was lower than in the control group: median 500 vs. 800 mg. Pain intensity and other parameters were similar in both groups.