Effect of electroacupuncture at bilateral Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on gastrointestinal function recovery after laparoscopic radical resection for colorectal cancer

[Objectives] To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at bilateral Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on gastrointestinal function recovery after laparoscopic radical resection for colorectal cancer (CRC). [Methods] A retrospective analysis included 110 CRC patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery at Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (September 2022-September 2024). All received enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) perioperative management. Patients were divided into the EA group (n=55) and the control group (n=55) according to whether they received postoperative EA at bilateral ST36 acupoint. The following parameters were compared between the two groups: (1) time to first flatus, the incidence of postoperative intestinal obstruction, and postoperative hospital stay; (2) mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) within 24 h/72 h postoperatively, and coefficient of glucose variation (CV) within 72 h postoperatively. Additionally, heart rate variability (HRV) measured preoperatively (24 h) and postoperatively (48-72 h) was compared between-group and within-group, including standard deviation of all normal sinus RR intervals (SDNN), standard deviation of the averaged normal sinus RR intervals for all 5-min segments (SDANN), percentage of successive normal sinus RR intervals >50 ms (PNN50), low frequency (LF), and high frequency (HF). [Results] The EA group had a shorter time to first flatus than the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of postoperative intestinal obstruction and postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05). The MAGE within 24 h and 72 h postoperatively and CV within 72 h postoperatively in the EA group were smaller than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in SDNN, SDANN, PNN50, LF, and HF within 24 h preoperatively (P>0.05). The PNN50 and HF at 48-72 h postoperatively in the EA group were higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). At the same time, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in SDNN, SDANN, and LF (P>0.05). The PNN50 at 48-72 h postoperatively in the control group was lower than that within 24 h preoperatively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the remaining parameters of HRV in the control group and all parameters of HRV in the EA group between the preoperative and postoperative analyzed periods (P>0.05). [Conclusion] EA at bilateral ST36 acupoint accelerates gastrointestinal function recovery in ERAS-managed CRC patients postoperatively.