Electroacupuncture Shortens Time to First Defecation in Colorectal Cancer Surgery Patients

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on intestinal function after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: A total of 72 patients with malignant tumors of the sigmoid colon or rectum scheduled for laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into an observation group (36 cases) and a control group (36 cases, 1 case discontinued). The observation group received EA starting from the first postoperative day. Acupoints used included Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), and bilateral Quchi (LI11), Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), and Xiajuxu (ST39). EA apparatus was connected between bilateral Tianshu (ST25), as well as ipsilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Shangjuxu (ST37), using continuous wave at a frequency of 2 Hz, current intensity of 2 to 3 mA, adjusted to patient tolerance. The control group received sham EA using the same acupoints. For sham EA, the needle tips were inserted into adhesive pads without touching the skin surface, and the EA apparatus was specially modified to be non-conductive, thus preventing any effective current circuit. Both groups were treated once daily for 30 min each time, for five consecutive days. The time to first anal exhaust, time to first defecation, number of postoperative administrations of the analgesic flurbiprofen axetil, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded in the two groups. Numerical rating scale (NRS) score was assessed from postoperative day 1 to 5, and the incidence of postoperative intestinal obstruction within 14 days was also recorded in the two groups. RESULTS: The time to first defecation in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group (<0.01). Among patients aged ≥65 years, the time to first anal exhaust and the time to first defecation in the observation group were earlier than those in the control group (<0.05, <0.01). A positive correlation was found between age and time to first exhaust and defecation (=0.472, =0.604, <0.01). The NRS scores on postoperative day 4 and 5 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (<0.01, <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the number of flurbiprofen axetil administrations or length of hospital stay (>0.05). No cases of intestinal obstruction occurred in either group within 14 days postoperatively. CONCLUSION: EA can accelerate the recovery of bowel function after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery, which might have greater clinical value for patients aged 65 years or older.