This study shows that thumbtack needle therapy can accelerate gastrointestinal recovery in gastric cancer surgery patients.

• Patients receiving therapy had bowel sound recovery 4 hours faster than the control group.
• The intervention did not increase complications and was deemed safe.

Surgeons can consider incorporating thumbtack needle therapy to enhance recovery protocols after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.

• Both groups were well-matched, ensuring valid results.