OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of purgation and detoxification therapy on gastrointestinal dysfunction of critically ill patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

METHODSTotally 56 inpatients with severe gastrointestinal dysfunction after abdominal surgery at ICU of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 28 in each group. All patients received routine Western medical treatment. Patients in the treatment group additionally took Modified Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (MHJD) and received electroacupuncture (EA) for 7 days. The first exhaust time, defecation time, scores for gastrointestinal dysfunction, mechanical ventilation time, ICU hospitalization time, and 28-day fatality rate were observed. Furthermore, serum levels of diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactic acid were detected at day 1, 3, and 7 after treatment.

RESULTSThe first exhaust time and the first defecation time in the treatment group were ahead of schedule, when compared with those of the control group (P <0. 05). Scores for gastrointestinal dysfunction, mechanical ventilation time, serum levels of DAO obviously decreased in the treatment group (P <0. 05). There was no statistical difference in serum levels of D-lactic acid, ICU stay time, the incidence of pulmonary infection, and 28-day mortality between the two groups (P >0. 05). Results of Logistic analysis showed that scores for gastrointestinal dysfunction were related with the incidence of pulmonary infection (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONMHJD combined EA could promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function in critically ill patients after abdominal surgery via improving intestinal barrier function, which was benefit for shortening mechanical ventilation time.