Effect of Thread Embedding Acupuncture on Postoperative Ileus Recovery After Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (THREAD-POI)

Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: LARS - Low Anterior Resection Syndrome; Postoperative Ileus; Colorectal Cancer

Treatments: Procedure: Thread Embedding Acupuncture+Electroacupuncture; Procedure: Electroacupuncture

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07071987

82373014 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

northernjiangsu008

Details and patient eligibility

About

This multicenter, randomized, controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) in promoting gastrointestinal recovery after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. The primary outcome is the time to first flatus. Secondary outcomes include time to first defecation, tolerance to oral intake, length of hospital stay, and patient-reported quality of life.

Enrollment: 300 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Age 18-80 years Diagnosed with stage I-III colorectal cancer Scheduled for elective laparoscopic colorectal resection ASA Physical Status I-III Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

History of prior major abdominal surgery Emergency or palliative surgery Combined organ resection or open conversion Severe postoperative complications (e.g., anastomotic leak, GI bleeding) Severe cardiac, hepatic, renal, or psychiatric comorbidities Refusal to undergo acupuncture

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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300 participants in 3 patient groups

Thread embedding+Electroacupuncture Group

Experimental group

Description:

Thread embedding at bilateral ST36, ST37, and PC6 at 2h after surgery and Electroacupuncture at same location at 2h, 24h, 48h, and 72h postoperatively

Treatment:

Procedure: Thread Embedding Acupuncture+Electroacupuncture

Electroacupuncture Group

Other group

Description:

Electroacupuncture

Treatment:

Procedure: Electroacupuncture

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Standard perioperative management without any acupuncture-related intervention