Acupuncture to prevent prolonged postoperative ileus: A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Background: Prolonged postoperative ileus (PPI) is the inability to tolerate an oral diet, pass flatus, or have a bowel movement after postoperative day 3. Acupuncture has been used to treat gastrointestinal problems. Objective: To determine if acupuncture is effective in preventing PPI among cancer patients undergoing ileostomy/colostomy closure. Design, Setting, and Patients: Randomized clinical trial comparing bowel function, quality of life, and cost between inpatients treated with acupuncture after surgery and controls (no acupuncture). Participants (n = 78) were recruited from the Department of Surgical Oncology at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between September 2003 and March 2006. All participants completed follow-up. Intervention: Patients in the treatment group (n = 38) received acupuncture twice a day, starting on postoperative day 1, for up to 4 consecutive days. Main Outcome Measures: Outcomes measured included bowel function, pain, use of opioid analgesics, na...