Ye Y, Xin XY, Huo ZJ, Zhu YT, Fan RW, Zhang HL, Gao Y, Shen HB, Li D. Acupuncture for postoperative ileus: Advancement and underlying mechanisms. World J Gastrointest Surg 2025; 17(2): 99160 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v17.i2.99160]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dong Li, MD, Professor, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, No. 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China. lidong6512@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (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/
World J Gastrointest Surg. Feb 27, 2025; 17(2): 99160 Published online Feb 27, 2025. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v17.i2.99160
Acupuncture for postoperative ileus: Advancement and underlying mechanisms
Yang Ye, Xi-Yan Xin, Ze-Jun Huo, Yu-Tian Zhu, Rui-Wen Fan, Hao-Lin Zhang, Yu Gao, Hong-Bo Shen, Dong Li
Yang Ye, Xi-Yan Xin, Ze-Jun Huo, Yu-Tian Zhu, Rui-Wen Fan, Hao-Lin Zhang, Yu Gao, Hong-Bo Shen, Dong Li, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
Co-first authors: Yang Ye and Xi-Yan Xin.
Co-corresponding authors: Hong-Bo Shen and Dong Li.
Author contributions: Ye Y and Xin XY wrote the first draft of the manuscript, they contributed equally to this work; Shen HB and Li D contributed equally and share the corresponding authorship; Huo ZJ, Zhu YT, Fan RW, Zhang HL, and Gao Y contributed to review and editing; Ye Y, Xin XY, Shen HB, and Li D conceived, reviewed, and revised this paper.
Supported by Clinical Key Project of Peking University Third Hospital, No. BYSY2023049; and Funding from State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, No. BYSYSZKF2023027.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
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: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Dong Li, MD, Professor, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, No. 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China. lidong6512@163.com
Received: July 15, 2024 Revised: November 25, 2024 Accepted: December 18, 2024 Published online: February 27, 2025 Processing time: 191 Days and 1.5 Hours
Abstract
Postoperative ileus (POI) remains a prevalent and significant challenge following abdominal surgeries, precipitating patient distress, prolonged hospital stays, and escalated medical expenditures. Conventionally addressed via pharmacological interventions, POI is increasingly being explored through adjunctive therapeutic strategies, with acupuncture gaining recognition as a promising option. Acupuncture has demonstrated encouraging potential in promoting gastrointestinal motility in patients with POI. Moreover, recent research has shed light on the therapeutic mechanisms underlying its efficacy. This article aims to present a comprehensive overview of acupuncture as a treatment for POI, highlighting advancements in clinical research and recent elucidations of its mechanistic underpinnings. It aspires to contribute a pivotal reference point for scholars and enthusiasts keen on garnering a deeper understanding of acupuncture’s role in managing POI.
Core Tip: This article emphasizes that postoperative ileus (POI), a prevalent issue after abdominal surgeries, causes significant patient distress and financial burdens. Traditionally managed with drugs, POI is now explored with additional therapies, notably acupuncture, which shows potential in enhancing gastrointestinal motility. The article provides a comprehensive review of acupuncture for POI, featuring clinical advancements and new insights into its mechanisms. It serves as a crucial reference for scholars and enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of acupuncture’s application in POI management.
