Objective To observe the synergistic effect and safety of combined use of houpo paiqi mixture and thumb-tack needle on promoting gastrointestinal function recovery after cesarean section. Methods Parturients receiving cesarean section were randomly divided into the control group(29 cases)

the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) group(30 cases) and needle+TCM group(30 cases). The control group received only routine postoperative treatment. Besides the treatment as the control group

parturients in the TCM group were given 50 mL houpo paiqi mixture 6 h and 10 h after cesarean section respectively. Besides the treatment as the TCM group

parturients in the needle+TCM group received thumb-tack needle treatment at bilateral Zusanli(ST36)

Tianshu(ST25)

Shangjuxu(ST37) and Sanyinjiao(SP6)

Zhongwan(CV12)

Qihai(CV6)

with auricular pressure at bilateral otopoints Zigong(Uterus)

Wei(Stomach) and Dachang(Large intestine)

within 1 h after the parturients returned to the ward after the operation. Each acupoint was pressed for 10 s and performed acupressure every 4 h(except sleeping hours)

continuously for 3 d. The time of bowel sound recovery

the time to the first postoperative exhaust and defecation

the time of postoperative semi-fluid diet recovery

incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV) and abdominal distention

and abdominal pain VAS score were recorded and analyzed. The safety of the treatments was also evaluated. Results Compared with the control group

the time of bowel sounds recovery

the time to the first postoperative exhaust and the time of postoperative semi-fluid diet recovery were significantly shortened in the TCM and needle+TCM groups(P<0.01); the time to the first postoperative defecation were significantly shortened(P<0.01)

incidence of both abdominal distention and PONV were significantly decreased in the needle+TCM group(P<0.05

P<0.01); incidence of abdominal distention were significantly decreased in TCM group(P<0.05). Compared with the TCM group

the time of bowel sounds recovery

the time to the first postoperative exhaust and defecation

and the time of postoperative semi-fluid diet recovery were significantly shortened(P<0.01)

and incidence of both abdominal distention and PONV were significantly decreased in the needle+TCM group(P<0.05). VAS scores of the three groups decreased gradually over time(P<0.01). Compared with the control and TCM groups

VAS scores of the needle+TCM group significantly decreased at 24 h

48 h and 72 h after operation(P<0.01). No treatment-related adverse reactions were observed during the whole trial. Conclusion On the base of the treatment with houpo paiqi mixture

the addition of thumb-tack needle treatment exerted positive synergistic effect on gastrointestinal function recovery after cesarean section

with high safety

which is worthy of clinical application.