[Retrospective controlled study on early postoperative inflammatory small bowel obstruction treated with electroacupuncture and acupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the efficacy on early postoperative inflammatory small bowel obstruction (EPISBO) treated with electroacupuncture and acupuncture separately and make the comparison of the efficacy difference. METHODS: Through retrospective analysis, 459 cases of EPISBO were divided into an electroacupuncture group (355 cases) and an acupuncture group (104 cases). Based on routine treatment, Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Taichong (LR 3), Gongsun (SP 4) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) were selected in either group, but stimulated with electroacupuncture and acupuncture separately, once per day, for 30 min each time. RESULTS: All of 459 cases were cured. The average days of curative achievement in electroacupuncture group were less apparently than those in acupuncture group (13.5 +/- 7.5 vs. 20.8 +/- 6.5, P < 0.05). The days of curative achievement in either group were less significantly than those treated with parenteral nutrition and medication recorded in literatures (32.0 +/- 7.0, both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Either electroacupuncture or acupuncture achieves a significant efficacy on EPISBO, but the efficacy of electroacupuncture is better than that of acupuncture.