Acupuncture for Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture plus routine treatment (RT) for acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods: Literature searches were performed in 8 databases up to October 31, 2018. Randomized controlled trials comparing acupuncture plus RT with RT alone for AP were included.

Results: Twelve eligible studies were included finally. The meta-analysis showed that acupuncture plus RT compared with RT alone could significantly improve the total effective rate and gastrointestinal function and reduce the Acute Physiology, Age, Chronic Health Evaluation II score, tumor necrosis factor α count, the time of resuming to diets, and the length of hospital stay. Only 3 of the studies reported adverse events or reactions.

Conclusions: This study suggested that acupuncture combined with RT may be effective for AP. However, more rigorously designed randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the current findings.