Electroacupuncture significantly reduces postoperative ileus duration.

In a multicenter trial involving 585 patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer, electroacupuncture (EA) proved effective in reducing postoperative ileus (POI) duration. EA decreased the time to first flatus by over 12 hours compared to sham treatments and standard care, and it shortened the time to first defecation by approximately 15 hours. Additionally, the incidence of prolonged POI was lower in the EA group. No severe adverse events occurred, confirming EA’s safety.