Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture(EA)stimulation of Zusanli(ST 36)and Neiguan(PC 6)in the treatment of persistent postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients undergoing laparotomy.Methods A total of 60 laparotomy patients were enlisted in the present study and were randomly divided into conventional treatment group(control)and EA group(n=30in each group).Patients of the EA group were treated by conventional treatment and EA stimulation(2Hz

1-10mA)of bilateral ST 36 and PC 6for 30 min

once daily for 5days

and patients of the control group treated by conventional treatment(pre-and post-surgical fasting

measures for gastrointestinal decompression

electrolyte stabilization

parenteral nutrition support

and anti-infection in necessity

etc).The first postoperative flatus and defecation time

postoperative hospital stays

abdominal bloating grading(0-4points

i.e.Likert scale)

and adverse events were recorded and evaluated.Results After the treatment

the first postoperative flatus and defecation time

and hospital stay time and abdominal bloating scores from the 2nd to the 5th day post-surgery in the EA group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).The abdominal bloating scores of the two groups were gradually and obviously decreased from the 2nd day on in comparison with pre-treatment(P<0.05).Of the two 30 cases in the control and EA groups

5and 14 were cured in their clinical symptoms

15 and 13experienced marked improvement

7and 3were effective

2and 0invalid

with the effective rates being66.7% and 90.0%

respectively.Conclusion EA is effective in improving persistent postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in cancer patients undergoing laparotomy.