Objective To explore the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)combined with transversus abdominis plane(TAP)block in the enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection(LCCR).Methods A total of 101 patients undergoing LCCR were randomly divided into three groups:control(n=34)

TAP(n=35)and TEAS+TAP(n=32).Conventional perioperative anesthesia management of the 3 groups was performed according to the ERAS guidelines.All the patients experienced patient controlled epidural analgesia(PCEA)

and those of the TAP and TEAS+TAP groups received TAP block by injection of 0.3% Roperca hydrochloride(15 mL)into the space between the internal oblique and the transverse abdominis after induction of anesthesia.For patients of the TEAS+TAP group

TEAS(2 Hz/10 Hz

an endurable stimulation strength)was applied to bilateral Zusanli(ST 36)from 30 min before anesthesia to the end of the surgery.The blood glucose value and dosage of Remifentanil used were recorded.The pain severity was assessed at 4

12

24 and 48 hafter surgery by using visual analogue scale(VAS).Moreover

postoperative anal exhaust time

postoperative oral feeding time

postoperative first ambulation time and postoperative hospital stay length were recorded.Results The total dosages of Remifentanil used during surgery

and the blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the TAP and TEAS+TAP groups than in the control group(P<0.05)

but had no significant differences between the TAP and TEAS+TAP groups(P>0.05).The VAS scores of the TAP and TEAS+TAP groups were considerably lower than those of the control group at 4

12

24 and 48 hafter surgery(P<0.05

except 48 hof TAP group).Of the 34

35 and 32 cases in the control

TAP and TEAS+TAP groups

5(14.7%)

3(8.6%)and 1(3.1%)on the 1 st day post-surgery

and 2(5.9%)

0(0)and 0(0)on the 2 nd day after surgery experienced nausea and vomiting.The postoperative anal exhaust time and postoperative oral feeding time were significantly earlier in both TAP and TEAS+TAP groups than in the control group(P<0.05)

and the exhaust time of the TEAS+TAP group was even earlier than that of the TAP group(P<0.05).No significant differences were found among the 3 groups in the postoperative ambulation time and postoperative hospitalization time(P>0.05).Conclusion TEAS combined with TAP block analgesia is superior to simple TAP block analgesia in relieving postoperative pain

shortening the recovery time of gastrointestinal function and promoting postoperative rehabilitation in patients undergoing LCCR.