Clinical Trials Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2020. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2020; 26(23): 3271-3282
Published online Jun 21, 2020. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i23.3271
Rapid rehabilitation technique with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine promotes postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery
Li-Xing Cao, Zhi-Qiang Chen, Zhi Jiang, Qi-Cheng Chen, Xiao-Hua Fan, Shi-Jun Xia, Jin-Xuan Lin, Hua-Chan Gan, Tao Wang, Yang-Xue Huang
Li-Xing Cao, Zhi-Qiang Chen, Zhi Jiang, Qi-Cheng Chen, Xiao-Hua Fan, Shi-Jun Xia, Hua-Chan Gan, Perioperative Research Team, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong Province, China
Jin-Xuan Lin, Tao Wang, Yang-Xue Huang, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong province, China
Author contributions: Chen ZQ and Cao LX designed the research; Fan XH and Xia SJ verified the design; Chen ZQ, Cao LX, Fan XH, Xia SJ, Jiang Z, and Chen QC performed the research; Wang T and Gan HC collected and analyzed the data; Wang T, Gan HC, Lin JX, and Huang YX wrote the paper; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology, No. 2014A020212278.
Institutional review board statement: The study was reviewed and approved by the Ethical committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.
Clinical trial registration statement: This study was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry at http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=10166. The registration identification number is ChiCTR-IOR-14005744.
Informed consent statement: All study participants, or their legal guardian, provided written informed consent prior to study enrollment.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest.
Data sharing statement: No additional data are available.
CONSORT 2010 statement: The authors have read the CONSORT 2010 Statement, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CONSORT 2010 Statement.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Zhi-Qiang Chen, PhD, Chairman, Professor, Surgeon, Perioperative Research Team, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 111, Dade Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong Province, China. weishoushuqi@163.com
Received: February 14, 2020
Peer-review started: February 14, 2020
First decision: April 9, 2020
Revised: May 9, 2020
Accepted: May 29, 2020
Article in press: May 29, 2020
Published online: June 21, 2020
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Research background

In recent years, rapid rehabilitation during the perioperative period is attracting considerable attention. Gastrointestinal dysfunction is key for rapid recovery during this period. Modern medicine recognizes the importance of postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery. However, the method of active intervention to promote the rapid recovery of gastrointestinal function after surgery remains insufficient. Therefore, it is essential to find an effective and safe method that promotes postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery.

Research motivation

During the perioperative period, the characteristic therapy of traditional Chinese medicine is effective in improving postoperative rehabilitation and rapid rehabilitation technique has been developed and widely recognized. Therefore, the combination of these two methods is the best treatment.

Research objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Yikou-Sizi powder hot compress on Shenque acupuncture point combined with rapid rehabilitation technique.

Research methods

In this prospective, multicenter, randomized, and controlled study, the patients in a treatment group received Yikou-Sizi powder hot compress in Shenque acupuncture point combined with rapid rehabilitation technique, and routine treatments were applied to patients in a control group. Clinical observation regarding postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function was performed, including the times to first passage of flatus, first defecation, and first normal bowel sounds.

Research results

Patients had shortened times to postoperative first defecation and initial recovery of bowel sounds in the treatment group compared with those in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the time to initial exhaust and hospitalization expenses between treatment group and control group. This clinical trial was safe without reports of any adverse reaction or event.

Research conclusions

The rapid rehabilitation technique with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine promotes the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function and is significantly better than standard approach for patients after colorectal surgery.

Research perspectives

Our study suggests that Yikou-Sizi powder hot compress in Shenque acupuncture point combined with rapid rehabilitation technique is effective in improving postoperative rehabilitation. Further studies are required to conduct in multiple centers to promote and apply the treatment so that more patients can recover fully and rapidly.