• Li Mu, Hui Gao, Mai-Liang Zhao, Hong-Fen Ren, and Hua-Shu Ma.
• Derpartment of Surgery, Xingtai People's Hospital, Xingtai 054001, Hebei Province, China.
• Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2019 Mar 12; 39 (3): 259-62.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect on the recovery of gastrointestinal function after cesarean section treated with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation at Zusanli (ST 36) on the basis of routine treatment.MethodsA total of 110 primiparas after cesarean section were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 55 cases in each one. The conventional treatment was applied in the two groups, after operation, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation at Zusanli (ST 36) was used immediately in the observation group, the skin electrode of disposable anti-magnetic buckle was attached to Zusanli (ST 36) and the corresponding part of the inner lower leg, with disperse-dense wave, 30 Hz/60 Hz and 15-20 mA. The treatment was given for 30 min every time, once every 8 h, until the end of the first bowel movement. The recovery of gastrointestinal function after cesarean section (the restoring time of borborygmus, the time of first anal exsufflation and the first defecation time), the time of secretion of foremilk, complications (abdominal distension, abdominal pain, nausea etc.), hospital stays after operation and the satisfaction of primiparas after bowel movement were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe observation group was superior to the control group in the restoring time of borborygmus, the time of first anal exsufflation, the first defecation time and the time of secretion of foremilk (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the observation group, the incidence of postoperative complications such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension and nausea was 3.6% (2/55), which was lower than 16.4% (9/55) in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had shorter hospital stays (P<0.01). The satisfaction of effect was 89.1% (49/55) in the observation group, which was superior to 72.7% (40/55) in the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionTranscutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation at Zusanli (ST 36) can speed up the recovery of gastrointestinal function after cesarean section, reduce complications such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension, shorten hospital stays, promote patient nutrition intake and lactation, and improve comfort level and satisfaction of primiparas.

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