Advances in the Modern Studies of Acupuncture Treatment of Postoperative Ileus / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common abdominal postoperative complication of surgery as well as obstetrics and gynecology. There is a lack of an effective method of modern medicine due to its complex pathophysiological mechanism and the postoperative physiological disorder of patient. Acupuncture has remarkable regulatory effects on gastrointestinal function. Some clinical studies indicated that acupuncture was an effective method to treat POI, which could reduce the duration of POI and the treatment costs of patients in hospital. However, the mechanism and law of acupuncture on treating POI is still unclear. Some clinical studies indicated that the regulatory effect of acupuncture on the gastrointestinal motility was associated with its regulation of the autonomic nerve system and immune system. Based on its effect on regulating autonomic nerve system and immune system, acupuncture would be a potential and safe treatment for POI.