Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on gastrointestinal function after laparoscopic surgery

Abstract

Background: Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (PGD) leading to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension are common complications after laparoscopic surgery for abdominal diseases. However, drugs cannot completely stop PGD. Over the years, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) therapy has shown potential in preventing PGD, but there is no medical evidence that TEAS represents the best choice for the treatment of PGD. This network meta-analysis sought to evaluate the effectiveness of TEAS therapy in preventing PGD in patients after abdominal laparoscopic surgery.Methods: Articles (published from the establishment of the databases to July 2021) were retrieved from the following databases: PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China Technical Journal VIP Database (CQVIP), China Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and the Wanfang Database. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies, and a network meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.20.Results: A total of 7 randomized controlled trials, comprising 440 TEAS-treated patients and 468 control patients, were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the TEAS treatment group and the control group in relation to postoperative nausea and vomiting [relative risk (RR) =0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37-1.21; P=0.18], postoperative abdominal distension (RR =0.53; 95% CI: 0.40-0.72; P<0.0001), the time of first postoperative fart (imply gastrointestinal motility) [mean difference (MD) =-7.31; 95% CI: -11.33 to -3.30; P=0.0004], and the time of first postoperative bowel movement (MD =-5.28; 95% CI: -7.23 to -3.33; P<0.0001); there were significant differences among these 3 indicators.Discussion: We found that TEAS can promote postoperative fart and bowel movement, and has good clinical value in promoting postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery.

Patient-reported gastrointestinal symptoms following surgery for gastric cancer and the relative risk factors

“…Therefore, the proportion of abdominal distension in early postoperative period was high, but with the recovery of gastrointestinal function, its ratio will decrease significantly. Previous studies showed that PGISs could increase the risk of postoperative complications, prolong the time of hospitalization, delay the follow-up adjuvant treatment, and reduce the quality of life ( 20 , 21 ). PRO can provide the real feeling of patients after surgery, so that clinicians can carry out the necessary intervention to accelerate postoperative rehabilitation and improve the quality of life.…”

Effect of Somatosensory Interaction Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Cancer-related Fatigue and Immunity

“…The patient’s vital energy and blood lose harmony and are mixed by excess and deficiency syndromes, of which the latter dominates. 34 Therefore, the treatment should try to tonify the kidney to regenerate bone marrow and to replenish vital energy and blood. Activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis is fundamental to the treatment.…”

“…According to the traditional Chinese medicine philosophy, CRF is a kind of “consumptive disease” or “asthenic disease.” The pathogenesis of CRF can be summarized as damaged viscera and constitution caused by a struggle between the vital energy and the pathogenic factor. The patient’s vital energy and blood lose harmony and are mixed by excess and deficiency syndromes, of which the latter dominates 34. Therefore, the treatment should try to tonify the kidney to regenerate bone marrow and to replenish vital energy and blood.…”

Transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation reduced consumption of profopol in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery: A randomized clinical trial

“…Acupuncture has been used as an adjunctive therapy in perioperative settings. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Main effects include facilitating analgesia, reducing anesthesia-related complications and organ protection. [6][7][8][9] Acupressure on specific acupoints like Shenmen (HT7) and Ximen (PC4) can significantly reduce stress levels and induces significant relaxation and drowsiness.…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9] Main effects include facilitating analgesia, reducing anesthesia-related complications and organ protection. [6][7][8][9] Acupressure on specific acupoints like Shenmen (HT7) and Ximen (PC4) can significantly reduce stress levels and induces significant relaxation and drowsiness. [10,11] However, whether acupoint stimulation at these specific acupoints could induce sedative effects and reduce propofol consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery remains unclear.…”