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World J Gastrointest Surg. Feb 27, 2026; 18(2): 114417
Published online Feb 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i2.114417
Published online Feb 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i2.114417
Acupuncture regulating the gut-brain axis for postoperative ileus: Neuroimmune mechanisms and clinical translation prospects
De-Hui Li, Oncology Department II, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine (Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Key Laboratory of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Gastroenterology Research, Hebei Industrial Technology Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparation, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China
Jia Yuan, Chang Qiao, Xiao-Tong Tian, Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050091, Hebei Province, China
Qian Yang, Hebei Key Laboratory of Turbidity Toxin Syndrome, Department of Gastro
Co-first authors: De-Hui Li and Jia Yuan.
Author contributions: Li DH and Yuan J contributed equally to this manuscript and are co-first authors. Li DH and Yuan J designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Qiao C and Tian XT contributed to the writing and editing of the manuscript and review of the literature; Yuan J drew the figure for the manuscript; Yang Q directed and reviewed the paper. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by 2023 Government-Funded Project of the Outstanding Talents Training Program in Clinical Medicine, No. ZF2023165; Key Research and Development Projects of Hebei Province, No. 18277731D; Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province, No. H2024423105; Hebei Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Scientific Research Project, No. 2023045 and No. 2024023; Hebei Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Preparation Industry Technology Special Project, No. YJY2024006; and Scientific Research Project of Health Commission of Hebei Province, No. 20220962 and No. 20240282.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Qian Yang, Chief Physician, Professor, Hebei Key Laboratory of Turbidity Toxin Syndrome, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine (Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine), No. 389 Zhongshan East Road, Shijiazhuang 050011, Hebei Province, China.
Received: September 27, 2025
Revised: October 24, 2025
Accepted: November 27, 2025
Published online: February 27, 2026
Processing time: 152 Days and 21.3 Hours
Revised: October 24, 2025
Accepted: November 27, 2025
Published online: February 27, 2026
Processing time: 152 Days and 21.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Based on emerging evidence for electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) in treating postoperative ileus via the vagus nerve-mediated anti-inflammatory pathway, this article systematically details the mechanisms by which acupuncture regulates gastrointestinal motility through neural, immune, endocrine, and microbial pathways. It provides a strong rationale for integrating acupuncture, an effective non-pharmacological therapy, into enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. Future research focusing on multi-omics technologies, large-scale clinical trials, and microbiota-gut-brain interactions will be crucial for advancing the clinical application of acupuncture in gastrointestinal motility disorders.