Effect of acupuncture point injection and abdominal hot fomentation with Chinese medicine on gastrointestinal function in patients after abdominal surgery

AIM: To investigate the effect of injection of vitamin B1 into Zusanli point and abdominal hot fomentation with common fennel on gastrointestinal function in patients after abdominal surgery. METHODS: A total of 146 patients, including 46 undergoing total gastrectomy for stomach cancer, 32 undergoing subtotal gastrectomy for gastroduodenal ulcer, and 39 undergoing radical resection for colon cancer, were included in the study. These patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The control group was given routine treatment, while the treatment group underwent injection of vitamin B1 into Zusanli point and abdominal hot fomentation with common fennel on the basis of routine treatment. The time to first bowel sounds, time to first flatus, time to defecation, and volume of drained gastric juice were observed from day 1 after surgery. The concentration of serum motilin (MTL) was determined before surgery, and on days 1 and 5 after surgery. RESULTS: The time to first bowel sounds (t = 11.325, P < 0.01), time to first flatus (t = 21.277, P < 0.01), and time to defecation (t = 20.632, P < 0.01) were significantly improved in the treatment group compared with the control group. On day 5, the volume of drained gastric juice was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (t = 15.833, P < 0.01). No statistical differences were noted in MTL concentrations before surgery and on day 1 after surgery between the control group and treatment group (both P > 0.05). However, serum MTL concentration on day 5 was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (t = 4.2636, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Injection of vitamin B1 into Zusanli point and abdominal hot fomentation with common fennel can strengthen gastrointestinal motility, accelerate the recovery of gastrointestinal functions, and stimulate MTL release in patients after abdominal surgery.