Electroacupuncture for postoperative ileus after laparoscopic surgery on colorectal cancer: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background Postoperative ileus (POI) occurs in almost all patients after abdominal laparoscopic surgery, resulting in complications and increasing the length of hospitalization. Electroacupuncture has been used as an alternative therapy for gastrointestinal dysfunction, but its efficacy for POI is inconclusive. The study is designed to determine whether electroacupuncture can accelerate recovery from POI. Methods/design This study is a three-arm, randomized controlled trial. A total of 105 patients will be randomized into a group receiving electroacupuncture at Tianshu (ST25), a group receiving electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36), or a control group in a 1:1:1 ratio. Patients in the electroacupuncture groups will receive electroacupuncture treatment for 4 days from the first day after surgery. The primary outcome consists of the time to first flatus and the time to first defecation. Secondary outcomes include the time to first tolerance of liquid and semiliquid food; the length of the hospital stay; postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting; abdominal distension; the time to first get out of bed; and postoperative complications. The outcomes will be assessed by the patients themselves every day during hospitalization. Surgeons, nurses, assessors, and statisticians will be blinded to the group assignments. Patients in the two electroacupuncture groups, but not in the control group, will be blinded to the group assignments. The acupuncturists will not be blinded. Discussion The aim of this trial is to provide a nonpharmacological therapy for POI and may provide evidence of the effect of electroacupuncture at ST25 or ST36 on POI. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900027466. Registered on 14 November 2019.

Efficacy and Safety of Electroacupuncture in the Treatment of Cerebral Infarction: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Electroacupuncture therapy prefers a method of stimulating and adjusting the Qi of meridians and collaterals to prevent and treat diseases by applying a micropulse current to the needle after the filiform needle is inserted into the acupoints to get Qi. Previous studies have shown that different acupuncture points, different density, frequency, and intensity of electrical stimulation will bring different therapeutic effects [ 34 ]. Electroacupuncture therapy is better than the previous drug treatment in terms of safety and can objectively control the amount of stimulation and stimulate acupoints stably and continuously for a long time [ 35 ].…”

Does invasive acupuncture improve postoperative ileus after colorectal cancer surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…However, the clinical efficacy of the existing treatment schemes is limited. Therefore, finding a new treatment to prevent POI has become an important issue so that patients with colorectal cancer can recover quickly during postoperative period (6).…”