Objective To explore the effect of glycerol enemas used in different ways on the postoperative recovery of intestinal function.Methods Seventy-two patients after abdominal surgery were randomly divided into the control group and the experiment group:in the former group glycerol enema was injected into the anus 3~4 cm and in the latter group the enema was injected into anus 15 cm using a syringe connected to suction tube.The two groups were compared in terms of first time for anal exsufflation,time for defecation and abdominal distension.Results The first time for anal exsufflation and the time for defecation were both significantly shorter than the control group and the rate of abdominal distension was lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Injection of enema by connecting the syringe to a suction tube may be effective in promoting the recovery of intestinal function and lower the rate of abdominal distension.