Electroacupuncture vs sham electroacupuncture in the treatment of postoperative ileus after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. A multicenter, randomized clinical trial.
Wang N, Yang J-W, Yan S-Y, Lu Y, Han J-G, Pei W et al.
JAMA Surg 2023; 158: 20-27.
This intervention was used as part of an ERAS protocol in 248 patients having laparoscopic colorectal resection. Electroacupuncture reduced the median time to first defaecation (76.4h vs. 90h in controls, P=0.003), and reduced the rate of prolonged ileus (10 vs. 20 per cent, P=0.03), with no severe adverse events.
Comment: Possibly worth trying, if these results are corroborated, and particularly if it reduces duration of hospital stay.
6 March 2023
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