Effect of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine on Bowel Recovery After Abdominal Surgery

Launched by GUANG'ANMEN HOSPITAL OF CHINA ACADEMY OF CHINESE MEDICAL SCIENCES · Jul 16, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether combining acupuncture-like treatment (called TEAS) with traditional Chinese herbal medicine can help patients recover bowel function faster after major abdominal surgery, such as surgery on the pancreas or intestines. The researchers want to see if this combined approach can reduce pain, shorten hospital stay, improve digestive recovery, and lower complications compared to standard care methods that focus on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and pre-surgery preparation.

Adults aged 18 to 80 who are scheduled for certain types of planned abdominal surgeries and are generally healthy enough for surgery may be eligible to join. Participants will be randomly placed into two groups: one receiving the usual care plus the acupuncture-like treatment and herbal medicine, and the other receiving usual care alone. The new treatment will be given from the day of surgery up to four days afterward. Throughout the study, patients will be monitored for recovery signs like the time until first bowel movement, ability to eat, pain levels, and any side effects. This study aims to find safe, effective ways to help patients heal faster and feel better after surgery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients aged \>18 years with no severe preoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (e.g., no chronic gastrointestinal diseases such as long-term constipation or diarrhea).
• • Scheduled abdominal Grade IV surgeries (limited to liver, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, or intestinal procedures) performed via open or laparoscopic approach.
• • Preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification of I-III.
• • Patients and their families fully understand the study's purpose, methods, potential risks/benefits, and provide signed informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Comorbid severe systemic diseases.
• • Local skin abnormalities at acupoints (e.g.,broken skin, infection, allergies, or scarring).
• • Preoperative long-term use (\>1 month) of gastrointestinal motility-affecting drugs (e.g., mosapride, domperidone) that cannot be discontinued, or allergies to TCM components/electrode materials.
• • Psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment rendering patients unable to comply with the study.
• Elimination Criteria:
• • Non-compliance with treatment protocols (e.g., receiving \<80% of planned sessions).
• • Significant missing data.
• • Occurrence of severe adverse events unrelated to the study intervention.