Abstract: Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with Evodia hot compresson on the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients with colorectal cancer after laparoscopic surgery based on the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). Methods A total of 60 colorectal cancer patients who were hospitalized in the General Surgery Department of Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital from October 2019 to December 2020 were selected and randomly divided into observation group and control group with 30 cases each. The control group was treated with the concept of ERAS during the perioperative period, and the observation group was additionally treated with EA at Zusanli and Shangjuxu acupuncture points plus Evodia hot compress Shenque acupuncture point compared to the control group. The first exhaust time, first defecation time, restore semi-liquid diet time, the time of hospitalization after operation, the abdominal pain score, the abdominal distention score, the inflammatory indicators and postoperative complications between two groups were observed. Results Compared to the control group, the observation group has significantly shorter first flatus time, first defecation time and recover semi-liquid diet time (all P<0.05), higher postoperative abdominal pain relief degree (P<0.05), lower related inflammatory indicators on the fifth day (all P<0.05), and less postoperative hospitalization days (P<0.05). During the treatment period, there were no serious complications and adverse reactions such as anastomotic leakage in the two groups. Conclusions With the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery, the electroacupuncture combined with Evodia hot compress can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients with colorectal cancer after laparoscopic surgery, and alleviate the symptoms of abdominal pain and inflammatory stress responses, without increasing the incidence of postoperative complications. It can be an effective means of postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery.

Key words: Colorectal cancer, Enhanced recovery after surgery, Electroacupuncture, Evodia, Gastrointestinal function