[Effect of low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation on gastrointestinal motility function following radical gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer].

Objective: To observe the effect of low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation on gastrointestinal motility in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy, and its impact on regulation of inflammatory response, so as to evaluate its clinical value.
Methods: A total of 177 patients undergoing radical gastrectomy were randomly divided into conventional group ( n ＝43), low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation (LEAS) group ( n ＝45), fast track surgery (FTS) group ( n ＝46) and FTS＋LEAS group ( n ＝43). Patients of the conventional group received conventional treatment (pre-surgical mechanical bowel preparation, post-surgical fasting, and indwelling abdominal drainage tube, etc.). Patients in the LEAS group were treated by low-frequency electrical stimulation at bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu(ST37), Xiajuxu(ST39) and Sanyinjiao(SP6) for 30 min, once daily from 1 day after the operation to first postoperative flatus. FTS group was given fast track surgery treatment, such as preoperative education, preoperative nutritional support, early oral feeding, early removal of abdominal drainage tube, etc. The FTS＋LEAS group was given low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation on the basis of the FTS treatment. Levels of white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils (N), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) at 1, 3, and 6 d after the operation in the 4 groups were assayed. The first postoperative flatus and defecation time were recorded.
Results: After the treatment, the first postoperative flatus and defecation time in the LEAS, FTS and FTS＋LEAS groups were significantly shorter than those of the conventional group ( P <0.05), and the first flatus time of the FTS＋LEAS group was even earlier than that of the FTS group ( P <0.05). No significant differences were found among the 3 groups in the postoperative defecation time ( P >0.05). The CRP levels in the 4 groups on 3 and 6 d after operation were higher than those on the 1st postoperative day, and the highest level was on 3 d after the operation. Compared with the conventional group, CRP level on 3 d and CRP and IL-6 levels on 3 and 6 d in the LEAS and FTS＋LEAS groups were significantly lower ( P <0.05). Compared with the LEAS group, the levels of N, CRP on 3 d and the levels of N, CRP, IL-6 on 6 d in the FTS group were significantly increased ( P <0.05). Compared with the FTS group, the level of CRP on 3 d and the levels of N, CRP, IL-6 on 6 d in the FTS＋LEAS group were significantly decreased ( P <0.05).
Conclusion: FTS combined with LEAS is superior to simple FTS or LEAS treatment in shortening the first flatus and defecation time and promoting the recovery of gastrointestinal motility function in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy, which may be associated with its effect in alleviating postoperative inflammatory responses.