Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with chewing gum on postoperative gastrointestinal function after colorectal cancer resection

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with chewing gum on the recovery of gastrointestinal function after colorectal tumor resection. Methods A total of 156 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer in Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery in Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital were selected as participants in this study by convenience sampling from September of 2016 to September of 2017 and divided into the conventional group, TEAS group, combination group with 52 patients in each group based on random number table. The conventional group received conventional nursing care after surgery, and the TEAS group received TEAS intervention apart from that, and the combination group received gum chewing combined with TEAS intervention. The first bowel sounds, first anal exhaust, first anal defecation, first tolerance to solid food, hospitalization time and complications were compared among the three groups. Results There were significant differences in the first anal exhaust, the first tolerance to solid food and the first defecation time among the three groups (P 0.05) , but the incidence of intestinal obstruction in the combination group was lower than that in the TEAS group and the conventional group with statistical difference (P< 0.05) . Conclusions TEAS combined with chewing gum can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function and reduce the incidence of ileus after radical resection of rectal cancer. Key words: Colorectal neoplasms; Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation; Chewing gum; Gastrointestinal function