Electro-acupuncture to prevent prolonged postoperative ileus: a randomized clinical trial

Meng, Z. Q.

Garcia, M. K.

Chiang, J. S.

Peng, H. T.

Shi, Y. Q.

Fu, J.

Liu, L. M.

Liao, Z. X.

Zhang, Y.

Bei, W. Y.

Thornton, B.

Palmer, J. L.

McQuade, J.

Cohen, L.

World journal of gastroenterology : WJG

2010

16(1)

104-111

RCT

Constipation

Electroacupuncture

Gastrointestinal Diseases

RCT

TCM Acupuncture Style

Fixed Acupuncture Protocol

Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only

Usual Care Control, Unspecified

Acu Versus Usual Care

AIM: To examine whether acupuncture can prevent prolonged postoperative ileus (PPOI) after intraperitoneal surgery for colon cancer. METHODS: Ninety patients were recruited from the Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China. After surgery, patients were randomized to receive acupuncture (once daily, starting on postoperative day 1, for up to six consecutive days) or usual care. PPOI was defined as an inability to pass flatus or have a bowel movement by 96 h after surgery. The main outcomes were time to first flatus, time to first bowel movement, and electrogastroenterography. Secondary outcomes were quality of life (QOL) measures, including pain, nausea, insomnia, abdominal distension/fullness, and sense of well-being. RESULTS: No significant differences in PPOI on day 4 (P = 0.71) or QOL measures were found between the groups. There were also no group differences when the data were analyzed by examining those whose PPOI had resolved by day 5 (P = 0.69) or day 6 (P = 0.88). No adverse events related to acupuncture were reported. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture did not prevent PPOI and was not useful for treating PPOI once it had developed in this population.

Gastrointestinal Diseases

>1/WK

90

1 Week