Yuan Y, Xiao S. Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation at Zusanli and Neiguan on postoperative recovery in patients with colorectal cancer. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; 18(5): 116996 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i5.116996]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Yong Yuan, Medical College, Henan Vocational University of Science and Technology, No. 6 East Section of Wenchang Avenue, Zhoukou 466000, Henan Province, China. yxy408@126.com
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Anesthesiology
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Yuan Y, Xiao S. Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation at Zusanli and Neiguan on postoperative recovery in patients with colorectal cancer. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; 18(5): 116996 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i5.116996]
World J Gastrointest Surg. May 27, 2026; 18(5): 116996 Published online May 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i5.116996
Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation at Zusanli and Neiguan on postoperative recovery in patients with colorectal cancer
Yong Yuan, Shi Xiao
Yong Yuan, Medical College, Henan Vocational University of Science and Technology, Zhoukou 466000, Henan Province, China
Shi Xiao, Rehabilitation Center, Zhoukou Hospital of TCM, Zhoukou 466000, Henan Province, China
Author contributions: Yuan Y initiated research, conducted the collation and statistical analysis, and wrote the original manuscript and revised the paper; Xiao S designed the experiments and conducted clinical data collection, performed postoperative follow-up, and recorded the data; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Institutional review board statement: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhoukou Hospital of TCM.
Clinical trial registration statement: This study did not involve any clinical trials.
Informed consent statement: The ethics committee agrees to waive informed consent.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
CONSORT 2010 statement: The authors have read the CONSORT 2010 Statement, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CONSORT 2010 Statement.
Data sharing statement: All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.
Corresponding author: Yong Yuan, Medical College, Henan Vocational University of Science and Technology, No. 6 East Section of Wenchang Avenue, Zhoukou 466000, Henan Province, China. yxy408@126.com
Received: November 28, 2025 Revised: December 29, 2025 Accepted: February 4, 2026 Published online: May 27, 2026 Processing time: 180 Days and 4.2 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction is common in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is a noninvasive therapy derived from acupuncture.
AIM
To evaluate the effects of TEAS applied at Zusanli and Neiguan as an adjunct to anesthesia on postoperative qi-blood harmonization and spleen–stomach function recovery in patients with CRC.
METHODS
The medical records of patients who underwent laparoscopic radical resection for CRC in the traditional Chinese medicine department of Zhoukou Hospital of TCM between January 2024 and June 2025 were retrospectively collected. On the basis of actual perioperative intervention plans documented in the medical records, the patients were divided into two groups: The general anesthesia group (G group) and the TEAS plus general anesthesia group (TG group). For patients in the TG group (according to the medical records), TEAS treatment was administered at bilateral Zusanli and Neiguan acupoints 30 minutes before anesthesia induction and continued until the end of surgery. The same treatment was repeated for 30 minutes each morning on postoperative days 1 to 3. Data extracted from the medical records for comparison between the two groups included time to first bowel sound recovery, time to first anal exhaust (flatus), time to first defecation, postoperative pain scores (visual analog scale), functional status scores (Karnofsky score), and the incidence of complications.
RESULTS
The TG group had a longer duration of the first flatus, first defecation, and abdominal rumbling recovery compared with that in the control group G (P < 0.05). Additionally, visual analog scale scores were significantly lower (P < 0.01), whereas Karnofsky scores were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the TG group. Postoperative nausea and vomiting, as well as general complications, occurred less frequently in the TG group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Based on this prospective study, we have found that the TEAS-assisted anaesthesia regime means may help improve gastrointestinal function reversion, alleviate pain, and reduce complications in colorectal surgery for abdomen after operation. These results need to be confirmed in a subsequent prospective study.
Core Tip: This retrospective study demonstrates that the perioperative application of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation at Zusanli and Neiguan acupoints can significantly promote gastrointestinal function recovery, reduce postoperative pain, and lower the incidence of complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. By analyzing clinical medical record data, this study provides evidence for the integration of traditional Chinese medicine’s qi-blood harmonization theory with modern enhanced recovery after surgery practices, supporting the safety and efficacy of this non-pharmacological adjunctive therapy.
