Effect of Acupuncture plus Chinese Medicinal Enema on the Recovery of Gastrointestinal Function After Laparotomy / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and Neiting (ST44) plus enema with Chinese medication on the recovery of gastrointestinal function after laparotomy.Method A total of 82 patients who had received laparotomy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 41 cases each. The control group was intervened by conventional management after thesurgery, while the observation group was additionally given acupuncture at Zusanli and Neiting plus enema with Chinese medication. The gastrointestinal function indicators, total hospitalization duration, symptoms score, clinical efficacy, and patient's satisfaction rating of the two groups were compared.Result The time to restore bowel sound, first anal exhaust time, first defecation time, time to restore general diet, and total hospitalization duration of the observation group were significantly shorterthan those of the control group, and the observation group had significantly more cases who had anal exhaust within 48 h after the surgery (P<0.05). After the treatment, the symptoms score in the observation group was markedly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The clinical efficacy and total effective rate of the observation group were significantly superior to those of the control group (P<0.05). The patient's satisfaction rating and total satisfaction rate of the observation group were significantly superior to those of the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionAcupuncture at Zusanli and Neiting plus enema with Chinese medication can effectively promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function, mitigate the enteroparalysis symptoms, boost thepostoperative recovery, and enhance the general satisfaction rating.