Electroacupuncture combined with fast-track perioperative program for reducing duration of postoperative ileus and hospital stay after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Our previous study demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) reduces the duration of postoperative ileus and hospital stay after laparoscopic colorectal surgery within a traditional perioperative care setting. Recent evidence also suggested that a 'fast‐track' (FT) perioperative program may help accelerate recovery after colorectal surgery. It is uncertain whether the combination of EA and FT program will result in faster recovery after laparoscopic colorectal surgery when compared with FT program alone. Objectives: To compare the efficacy of EA+FT program versus FT program alone in reducing the duration of postoperative ileus and hospital stay after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Method: Design: Prospective randomized trial with two arms: (1) EA+FT program; and (2) FT program alone. Subjects: Patients undergoing elective laparoscopic resection of colonic and upper rectal cancer without conversion will be recruited. Outcome parameters: Primary outcome: time to defecation. Secondary outcomes: duration of hospital stay, analgesic requirement, morbidity, quality of life, and medical costs. Group size calculation: Assuming a reduction of mean time to first defecation from 72 h in the FT group to 48 h in the EA+FT group, pooled SD: 30 h, type I error: 5%, power: 90%, and attrition rate: 10%, 36 patients in each arm will be required.