Long-term electroacupuncture for low anterior resection syndrome in postoperative rectal cancer patients: case reports

This study reports two cases of rectal cancer patients who developed low anterior resection Syndrome (LARS) following rectal cancer surgery. Both patients presented with significant bowel dysfunction, including frequent defecation, urgency, fecal incontinence, and incomplete evacuation. Current trea...

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Main Authors: Wenna Li, Ming Yang, Jinchang Huang, Qiaoli Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1517325/full
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author Wenna Li
Wenna Li
Ming Yang
Ming Yang
Jinchang Huang
Jinchang Huang
Qiaoli Zhang
Qiaoli Zhang
author_facet Wenna Li
Wenna Li
Ming Yang
Ming Yang
Jinchang Huang
Jinchang Huang
Qiaoli Zhang
Qiaoli Zhang
author_sort Wenna Li
collection DOAJ
description This study reports two cases of rectal cancer patients who developed low anterior resection Syndrome (LARS) following rectal cancer surgery. Both patients presented with significant bowel dysfunction, including frequent defecation, urgency, fecal incontinence, and incomplete evacuation. Current treatments for LARS are limited by variable responses, high costs, and adherence issues, highlighting the need for practical, safe therapies with minimal side effects. The patients underwent a 6-month electroacupuncture treatment targeting Baliao points. Assessments were conducted using the LARS score, Wexner fecal incontinence score, and the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale. Results indicated a marked reduction in bowel frequency, significant relief of fecal incontinence symptoms, and improvement in overall health status and quality of life. In addition, emotional and cognitive functions were enhanced. These case reports suggest that electroacupuncture may be a valuable adjunctive treatment for managing LARS and improving patient emotional status and quality of life. Further high-quality research is necessary to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this treatment fully.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Medicine
spelling doaj-art-6d1f7ab023c540ffba4ecbd9a85219902025-08-20T03:31:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-06-011210.3389/fmed.2025.15173251517325Long-term electroacupuncture for low anterior resection syndrome in postoperative rectal cancer patients: case reportsWenna Li0Wenna Li1Ming Yang2Ming Yang3Jinchang Huang4Jinchang Huang5Qiaoli Zhang6Qiaoli Zhang7The Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Cancer Care, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaThe Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Cancer Care, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaThe Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Cancer Care, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaThe Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Cancer Care, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaThis study reports two cases of rectal cancer patients who developed low anterior resection Syndrome (LARS) following rectal cancer surgery. Both patients presented with significant bowel dysfunction, including frequent defecation, urgency, fecal incontinence, and incomplete evacuation. Current treatments for LARS are limited by variable responses, high costs, and adherence issues, highlighting the need for practical, safe therapies with minimal side effects. The patients underwent a 6-month electroacupuncture treatment targeting Baliao points. Assessments were conducted using the LARS score, Wexner fecal incontinence score, and the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale. Results indicated a marked reduction in bowel frequency, significant relief of fecal incontinence symptoms, and improvement in overall health status and quality of life. In addition, emotional and cognitive functions were enhanced. These case reports suggest that electroacupuncture may be a valuable adjunctive treatment for managing LARS and improving patient emotional status and quality of life. Further high-quality research is necessary to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this treatment fully.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1517325/fullrectal cancerlow anterior resectionelectroacupuncturecase reportBaliao points
spellingShingle Wenna Li
Wenna Li
Ming Yang
Ming Yang
Jinchang Huang
Jinchang Huang
Qiaoli Zhang
Qiaoli Zhang
Long-term electroacupuncture for low anterior resection syndrome in postoperative rectal cancer patients: case reports
Frontiers in Medicine
rectal cancer
low anterior resection
electroacupuncture
case report
Baliao points
title Long-term electroacupuncture for low anterior resection syndrome in postoperative rectal cancer patients: case reports
title_full Long-term electroacupuncture for low anterior resection syndrome in postoperative rectal cancer patients: case reports
title_fullStr Long-term electroacupuncture for low anterior resection syndrome in postoperative rectal cancer patients: case reports
title_full_unstemmed Long-term electroacupuncture for low anterior resection syndrome in postoperative rectal cancer patients: case reports
title_short Long-term electroacupuncture for low anterior resection syndrome in postoperative rectal cancer patients: case reports
title_sort long term electroacupuncture for low anterior resection syndrome in postoperative rectal cancer patients case reports
topic rectal cancer
low anterior resection
electroacupuncture
case report
Baliao points
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1517325/full
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