Clinical Observation of Electroacupuncture for Gastrointestinal Dysfunction After Abdominal Operation / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the therapeutic efficacy between conventional nursing and conventional nursing plus electroacupuncture in treating gastrointestinal dysfunction after abdominal operation, and their effects in recovering gastrointestinal function. Method Sixty patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after abdominal operation were randomized into an electroacupuncture group and a control group according to their operation time, 30 cases in each group. The electroacupuncture group was intervened by conventional postoperative nursing plus electroacupuncture, by selecting bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Xiajuxu (ST39), Neiguan (PC6) and Taichong (LR3), connected to HANS electroacupuncture device, with frequency at 2 Hz and a tolerable intensity. The treatment was given once a day, for 5 d in total, till the recovery of gastrointestinal function. The control group was intervened by conventional postoperative nursing. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated at the end of the intervention. The time of first bowel sound, first exhaust time, and first bowel movement time were observed. The gastrointestinal symptom score (GIS) was adopted to evaluate the effects of the two methods in improving gastrointestinal function at the end of the intervention. Result The general therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture group was better than that of the control group(P<0.05). In the electroacupuncture group, time taken for the first bowel sound, first exhaust and first bowel movement after the operation was shorter(P<0.05). The GIS dropped in both groups after the treatment, and the improvement was more significant in the electroacupuncture group(P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture helps promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients with postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction, and can produce a more significant improvement.