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Electroacupuncture for Postoperative Gastrointestinal Recovery After Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Resection: A
Haoyang Li1, Yuling Cai2, Ye Wang1
1Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Diseases of the Colon and Rectum
|August 6, 2026
Summary
Electroacupuncture (EA) improved postoperative recovery in colorectal cancer patients by accelerating gastrointestinal function recovery. This treatment demonstrated potential in reducing inflammation and rebalancing the autonomic nervous system without increasing complications.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) burden is rising globally.
- Radical resection for CRC can lead to postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction.
- Current treatments for this dysfunction are often unsatisfactory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) for enhancing postoperative recovery in CRC patients.
- To investigate EA's impact on gastrointestinal function, inflammation, and autonomic nervous system balance.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, single-center randomized controlled study.
- 101 CRC patients undergoing radical resection were included.
- Interventions involved EA or sham EA sessions for 30 minutes each, starting 2 hours post-surgery and continuing for two days.
Main Results:
- EA significantly shortened first flatus time, first oral feeding time, and bowel sound recovery time (p < 0.05).
- Postoperative inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6) were reduced in the EA group.
- EA positively influenced heart rate variability indicators, suggesting autonomic nervous system rebalancing.
Conclusions:
- Electroacupuncture facilitates postoperative recovery in colorectal cancer patients.
- EA's benefits may stem from reduced inflammation and improved autonomic nervous system function.
- The study suggests EA is a safe and promising adjunct therapy for postoperative recovery.
