Effectiveness of electroacupuncture on postoperative ileus prevention after abdominal surgery: A systematic review and trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: We aimed to verify the effectiveness of electroacupuncture on postoperative ileus prevention after abdominal surgery by meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA).

Methods: From inception to May 14, 2024, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched. TSA was used to determine an optimal sample size and control false-positive findings. The primary outcome was the time to first defecation (hours).

Results: Fourteen studies were included, with 1105 participants. Meta-analysis and TSA revealed firm evidence for benefits that electroacupuncture shorted the time to first defecation (mean difference [MD] -12.73 h, I² = 22%, P < 0.01), the time to first flatus (MD -7.03 h, I² = 25%, P < 0.01), the time to start of sips of water (MD -12.02 h, I² = 0%, P < 0.01), and the time to start of liquid diet (MD -12.97 h, I² = 0%, P < 0.01) compared with usual care. While compared with sham electroacupuncture, meta-analysis and TSA also confirmed that electroacupuncture shortened the time to first defecation (MD -10.81 h, I² = 31%, P = 0.02) and the time to first flatus (MD -10.81 h, I² = 0%, P < 0.01). However, TSA revealed that firm evidence for benefit or futility was not reached for the length of hospital stay and the rates of postoperative prolonged ileus.

Conclusions: Electroacupuncture shortened the duration of postoperative ileus in patients undergoing abdominal surgery, and the adverse events related to electroacupuncture were minor. Further investigation of the effect of electroacupuncture on the risk of prolonged postoperative ileus is warranted in the future.