Xu QQ, Yu Y, Gao YN. Functional recovery after abdominal surgery and the emerging role of acupuncture. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; 18(6): 120260 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.120260]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Yu-Ning Gao, MD, Doctor, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changchun Central Hospital, Renmin Street, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China. gaoyuning93@126.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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review-article
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Xu QQ, Yu Y, Gao YN. Functional recovery after abdominal surgery and the emerging role of acupuncture. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; 18(6): 120260 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.120260]
World J Gastrointest Surg. Jun 27, 2026; 18(6): 120260 Published online Jun 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.120260
Functional recovery after abdominal surgery and the emerging role of acupuncture
Qian-Qian Xu, Yan Yu, Yu-Ning Gao
Qian-Qian Xu, Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
Yan Yu, Department of The First Operation Room, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
Yu-Ning Gao, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changchun Central Hospital, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China
Co-first authors: Qian-Qian Xu and Yan Yu.
Author contributions: Xu QQ was responsible for conceptualization, literature review, and manuscript drafting; Yu Y contributed to literature collection and manuscript revision; Gao YN designed and supervised the study, revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content, and approved the final version of the article; Xu QQ and Yu Y contributed equally to this work and shared co-first authorship; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Yu-Ning Gao, MD, Doctor, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changchun Central Hospital, Renmin Street, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China. gaoyuning93@126.com
Received: February 24, 2026 Revised: March 10, 2026 Accepted: April 9, 2026 Published online: June 27, 2026 Processing time: 118 Days and 23.9 Hours
Abstract
Gastrointestinal dysfunction is a common clinical problem following abdominal surgery. The delayed recovery of bowel function, along with abdominal distension, nausea, and inflammatory responses, prolongs the hospital stay and increases healthcare costs despite the global application of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs. Despite the regular use of pharmacologic prokinetics and other supportive measures, rapid and sustained functional recovery remains elusive in many patients. A recent study demonstrated that patients with postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction experienced improved recovery of gastrointestinal function and reduced inflammation when treated with acupuncture and moxibustion in addition to Western medicine treatment. According to their findings, complementary methods may offer benefit in addition to standard pharmacological management. This study also challenges the conventional definition and assessment of postoperative recovery. As surgical care focuses on restoring function instead of just avoiding complications, the systematic appraisal of adjunctive non-pharmacological interventions is warranted in ERAS pathways. Future research should focus on standardized recovery metrics, mechanistic clarification, and integration into multidisciplinary perioperative care models. This will help determine whether complementary therapies can meaningfully improve patient-centered outcomes after abdominal surgery.
Core Tip: Although improving with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction, especially after abdominal surgery, remains a significant impediment to rapid recovery. Emerging evidence suggests that acupuncture and related non-pharmacological interventions, especially electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, may facilitate gastrointestinal functional recovery, alleviate postoperative ileus, and enhance patient-related outcomes through neuroimmune and autonomic modulation. Providing these modalities to patients through multidisciplinary ERAS pathways may redefine the goal of functional recovery from complication avoidance to functional restoration and personalized perioperative care.
