OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of preoperative and postoperative moxibustion at different timings on the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.

METHODSA total of 108 patients were randomly divided into a preoperative moxibustion group (36 cases), a postoperative moxibustion group (36 cases and 1 dropping), and a control group (36 cases and 1 dropping). Routine care after laparoscopic surgery was received in all three groups. In the preoperative moxibustion group, moxibustion was used at bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) one day before surgery, and 6 h after surgery in the postoperative moxibustion group. The treatment was given 20 min per acupoint. Intervention stopped after the patient's first self-exhaust or defecation. The time of first self-exhaust or defecation, the time of solid food tolerated, the postoperative 1-3 days visual analogue scale (VAS) abdominal pain scores, and adverse reactions during the intervention were recorded.

RESULTSCompared with the postoperative moxibustion group and the control group, the time of first self-exhaust or defecation was earlier in the preoperative moxibustion group (both <0.01); the time of solid food tolerated was earlier in the postoperative moxibustion group (both <0.01); postoperative 1-3 d VAS scores were lower (<0.05, <0.01). The VAS scores in the postoperative moxibustion group were lower than those in the control group (all <0.05). No adverse reactions occurred in the three groups.

CONCLUSIONPreoperative moxibustion can more effectively promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function after laparoscopic surgery and improve the postoperative quality of life.