Effect of acupuncture on postoperative intestinal function recovery in patients with colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture on the recovery of intestinal function in patients with colorectal cancer after operation. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with colorectal cancer were randomly divided into acupuncture group (33 cases) and control group (35 cases). The acupuncture group was given acupuncture at Zusanli, Shangjuxu, Hegu and Neiguan on both sides on the basis of eras scheme, once a day from the first day after operation, for 4 days; There was no acupuncture treatment in the control group. The recovery of Bowel sounds, first exhaust, defecation time, fluid intake time, ambulation time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pain score, postoperative complications and adverse events were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the acupuncture group and the control group in postoperative bowel sound recovery time, first exhaust time, first defecation time, first fluid intake time, first ambulation time and postoperative hospital stay (P＞0.05); The first postoperative exhaust time (t=2.250, P＜0.05), defecation time (t=3.350, P＜0.05) and liquid diet time (t=2.643, P＜0.05) of rectal cancer patients in acupuncture group were significantly shorter than those in colon cancer patients; There was significant difference in VAS score between the two groups on the first day after operation (t=-2.212, P＜0.05); There was no significant difference in VAS score on the second day (t=-1.826, P＞0.05) and the third day (t=-1.170, P＞0.05); On the fourth day after operation, the difference was significant (t=2.015, P＜0.05). There was significant difference in the decrease of pain score between the two groups from the first day to the fourth day after operation (t=-2.813, P＜0.01); There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications and adverse events between the two groups (P＞0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, acupuncture has a significant effect on improving immediate postoperative pain, but it does not show a clear effect on the recovery of postoperative intestinal function. Further large sample research is needed to provide more sufficient data support.