A Case Report of Korean Medicine Treatment for Dyspepsia after Subtotal Gastrectomy in a Patient with Gastric Cancer

Introduction: After subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer, the vagus nerve can be relatively damaged in the proximal part of the stomach, which can lead to impaired gastric motility. Electrogastrography (EEG) is used to record the myoelectrical activity of the stomach. The aim of this study was to introduce a case report of a patient who underwent subtotal gastrectomy and showed improvement in EGG after electroacupuncture on ST36, acupuncture, and herbal medicine treatments.Methods: From February to May 2015, a 62-year-old male patient with stomach cancer who underwent subtotal gastrectomy was treated with electroacupuncture on ST36, acupuncture, and herbal medicine (Hyangsayangyi-tang-gami). Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded by EEG during fasting and postprandial periods in February and May 2015.Results: The EEG showed that the postprandial normal slow wave increased after treatment, the postprandial tachygastria decreased, and arrhythmia decreased.Conclusion: This may suggest that treatment with electroacupuncture on ST36, acupuncture, and herbal medicine can be helpful in improving gastric myoelectrical activity in patients who have undergone subtotal gastrectomy.