Objective To compare the difference of therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture(EA)stimulation of abdominal acupoints and limb acupoints in the treatment of acute pancreatitis(AP)

so as to provide a reference for EA treatment of AP.Methods A total of 60 patients with AP were equally and randomly divided into abdominal acupoint group and limb acupoint group.On the basis of retention enema of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction(containing Radix Bupleurum

Radix Scutellaria

etc.)

and abdominal external application of Liuhe Powder ointment(containing Cinnabaris

pearl powder

etc.)

patients of the two groups were also treated with acupuncture stimulation of acupoints at the abdomen or limbs.The abdominal acupoints were Shangwan(CV 13)

Zhongwan(CV 12)

Xiawan(CV 10)

Liangmen(ST 21

left)

Taiyi(ST 23

left)

Chengman(ST 20

left)

Fu'ai(SP 16

left)

Yindu(KI 19

right)

and the limb acupoints were Hegu(LI 4)

Neiguan(PC 6)

Zusanli(ST 36)

Shangjuxu(ST 37)

Xiajuxu(ST 39)

and Yinlingquan(SP 9)which were punctured with filiform needles by retaining the needles for 30 min after twirling for a while.CV 12-ST 21

CV 10-SP 16 of the abdomen group

and bilateral PC 6 and ST 36 of the limb group were administered EA(2 Hz/15 Hz

1 mA and duration of 30 min).The treatment was conducted once daily for 5 days.The abdominal pain severity and distension severity were assessed using the visual analogue scale(VAS)

and the abdominal girth was measured by using a soft ruler.Results Following the treatment

the abdominal pain and distension symptom scores in the lightest and most severe phases of AP and the abdominal girth levels were considerably decreased on the 5 th day in the two groups in comparison with their own pre-treatment in the same one group(P

<

0.05);and the abdominal pain scores on the 2

(nd)

3 (nd)

3

(rd)

and4 (rd) and4

(th)

day in the lightest phase

and those on the 2 (th) day in the lightest phase

and those on the 2

(nd)

3 (nd)

3

(rd)

4 (rd)

4

(th)

and 5 th day in the most severe phase were markedly lower in the abdomen acupoint group than in the limb acupoint group(P

<

0.05).No significant differences were found between two groups in the abdominal distension symptom scores and abdominal circumference levels in the lightest and most severe phases of AP(P

>

0.05).In addition

no adverse events were found in both groups.Conclusion EA has a good curative effect in the treatment of AP patients.The curative effect of acupuncture of the abdominal acupoints is significantly superior to that of limb acupoints in relieving abdominal pain.