Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Nov 15, 2026; 18(11): 123593
Published online Nov 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.123593
Published online Nov 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.123593
Systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture for postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction after colorectal cancer surgery
Xin-Rui Zhang, Pei Wang, Zheng Wang, Min Li, Traditional Chinese Medicine Center, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 101149, China
Author contributions: Zhang XR drafted the manuscript; Zhang XR and Wang P conducted the statistical analyses and interpreted the data; Zhang XR, Wang P and Wang Z performed the literature search, study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment; Zhang XR and Li M conceptualised and designed the study; Li M critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: AI tools, specifically DeepSeek (version V3), were used solely for language polishing and formatting assistance. No AI tool was used to generate research data, interpret results, or formulate conclusions. All AI-assisted content was critically reviewed and revised by the authors, who take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript. No images in this manuscript were generated by AI.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing this manuscript.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Corresponding author: Min Li, Chief Physician, Traditional Chinese Medicine Center, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 82 Xinhua South Road, Beijing 101149, China. limin2119@outlook.com
Received: May 25, 2026
Revised: July 29, 2026
Accepted: October 8, 2026
Published online: November 15, 2026
Processing time: 158 Days and 14.1 Hours
Revised: July 29, 2026
Accepted: October 8, 2026
Published online: November 15, 2026
Processing time: 158 Days and 14.1 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Gastrointestinal dysfunction is common after colorectal cancer surgery and often interferes with recovery. Therefore, in this systematic review and metaanalysis, we aimed to investigate whether acupuncture can help restore gastrointestinal function in these patients and whether it is safe.