[Postoperative ileus after laparotomy for gastrointestinal cancer treated with electroacupuncture: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on postoperative ileus after laparotomy for gastrointestinal cancer.

Methods: A total of 90 patients with postoperative ileus after laparotomy for gastrointestinal cancer were randomized into an EA group and a conventional treatment group, 45 cases in each one. In the conventional treatment group, the postoperative fast track surgical regimen was accepted. In the EA group, on the base of the treatment as the conventional treatment group, acupuncture was applied to Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Taichong (LR 3) and electric stimulation was attached on Zusanli (ST 36) and Yinlingquan (SP 9), with continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency and 3-5 mA in intensity. Acupuncture was provided once daily till the onset of postoperative exhaust and defecation. The first postoperative exhaust time, the first postoperative defecation time, the postoperative hospital stay and the wound pain under standing on the next morning after entering group were compared in the patients between the two groups. The impact of the EA expectation was analyzed on the first postoperative exhaust time, the first postoperative defecation time and the postoperative hospital stay separately.

Results: The first postoperative exhaust time and the first postoperative defecation time in the EA group were earlier than the conventional treatment group (<0.05), the postoperative hospital stay was shorter than the conventional treatment group (<0.05), and the rate of wound pain in the postoperative standing was lower than the conventional treatment group (<0.05). EA expectation had no obvious correlation with the clinical therapeutic effect (>0.05).

Conclusion: EA can relieve postoperative ileus symptoms, alleviate pain and shorten hospital stay in the patients after laparotomy for gastrointestinal cancer.