Electroacupuncture or transcutaneous electroacupuncture for postoperative ileus after abdominal surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: At present, there is no ideal treatment for postoperative ileus (POI) after abdominal surgery. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) and transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) in improving postoperative POI.

Methods: We systematically screened randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from multiple databases and included 15 high quality RCTs. Two investigators independently conducted data extraction, risk of bias assessment and statistical analysis. Meta-analysis was performed by a random- (REM) or fixed-effect (FIXED) model.

Results: A total of 15 trials involving 965 participates were included. Meta-analysis results favored EA/TEA treatment for POI by analysis of time to first flatus [mean difference (MD) -11.60 h, I² = 94%, REM)], time to first defecation (MD -12.94 h, I² = 90%, REM), time to bowel sound recovery (MD -7.25 h, I² = 85%, REM), time to first oral feeding (MD -15.76 h, I² = 47%, REM) and length of hospital stay (MD -1.19 d, I² = 44%, REM). Subgroup analysis of laparoscopic surgery patients also favored EA/TEA by analysis of time to first flatus (MD -2.46 h, I² = 0%, FIXED), time to first oral feeding (MD -10.73 h, I² = 0%, FIXED) and length of hospital stay (MD -1.30 d, I² = 32%, REM). ST36 (Zusanli), ST37 (Shangjuxu) and ST39 (Xiajuxu) are preferred EA/TEA acupoints for treating POI. There was no significant difference in postoperative analgesic consumption between EA and control groups (P = 0.39). No severe adverse events associated with EA/TEA were reported.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that EA/TEA is a safe, effective treatment for POI after abdominal surgeries including laparoscopic surgery, and that EA/TEA does not relieve postoperative pain after abdominal surgery. There is significant heterogeneity of research on this subject, thus, a professional consensus is needed to establish a standard protocol for use of this technique.