Evidence Explorer · MS-N260 · Acupuncture · perioperative recovery after gastrectomy · Appraised November 7, 2026
After laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer, four perioperative electroacupuncture sessions shortened time to first flatus and defecation compared with sham electroacupuncture and standard care in a large Chinese multicenter trial.
Evidence at a glance
- Benefit signal: Earlier short-term gastrointestinal recovery and fewer prolonged-ileus events; this is a recovery outcome, not a cancer-control effect.
- Certainty: Moderate for the measured hospital outcomes in the studied enhanced-recovery setting. Generalizability and the clinical importance of time-to-flatus remain uncertain.
- Risk context: No severe adverse events were reported; needling-site bruising or hematoma can occur. Perioperative use requires surgical-team coordination.
- Cancer-control relevance: This is supportive-care evidence. It does not test tumor response, recurrence or survival.
What was studied
Seven hospitals in China randomized 585 adults undergoing laparoscopic resection for gastric cancer to four sessions of electroacupuncture, sham electroacupuncture or standard care alone; 578 were included in the full analysis set. The primary endpoint was time to first flatus. Secondary endpoints included first defecation, prolonged postoperative ileus, diet, mobilization, quality of life and hospital stay. The exact electrical parameters were checked in the primary report but are a research regimen, not a self-treatment prescription.
What the study found
Electroacupuncture shortened time to first flatus by 12.96 hours versus sham (95% CI −19.17 to −6.75) and 24.46 hours versus standard care (95% CI −30.61 to −18.30). Time to first defecation was shorter by 15.41 hours versus sham and 24.66 hours versus standard care. Prolonged postoperative ileus was also less frequent. No severe adverse events were reported.
What this does not establish
Time to flatus is a surrogate for recovery, and the report does not establish fewer major complications, readmissions or improved survival. Results may depend on local anesthesia, surgery and enhanced-recovery protocols and should not be extrapolated to bowel obstruction from tumor or other causes.
Safety and practical context
Acupuncture around surgery should be cleared by the surgeon and anesthesia team. Low platelets, anticoagulation, infection, fragile skin and implanted electrical devices may change the risk-benefit balance. Electroacupuncture is not a substitute for evaluation of obstruction, leak, bleeding or sepsis.
Questions for the care team
- Is postoperative ileus the problem, or is there concern for a mechanical obstruction or complication?
- Does the hospital have a credentialed practitioner integrated with the surgical pathway?
- Do blood counts, anticoagulants, infection risk or a cardiac device make electroacupuncture unsuitable?
Sources and identifiers
Funding and conflicts: The article reports Jiangsu provincial and National Natural Science Foundation of China support. Complete author conflict disclosures were checked in the journal report.
Source access and dates: Primary journal report and PubMed record were appraised. Chinese registry identifier: ChiCTR2100050660. Sources checked November 7, 2026. Last literature search November 7, 2026.
Educational evidence summary, not individualized medical advice. These approaches should complement—not replace—oncology, rehabilitation, palliative or symptom-directed care.
