Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Manuscript ID	120260
Country	China

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Opinion Review
Article Title	Functional recovery after abdominal surgery and the emerging role of acupuncture
Manuscript Source	Invited Manuscript
All Author List	Qian-Qian Xu, Yan Yu and Yu-Ning Gao
Funding Agency and Grant Number
Corresponding Author	Yu-Ning Gao, MD, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changchun Central Hospital, Renmin Street, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China. gaoyuning93@126.com
Key Words	Enhanced recovery after surgery; Acupuncture; Electroacupuncture; Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation; Postoperative ileus; Gastrointestinal recovery; Non-pharmacological interventions
Core Tip	Although improving with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction, especially after abdominal surgery, remains a significant impediment to rapid recovery. Emerging evidence suggests that acupuncture and related non-pharmacological interventions, especially electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, may facilitate gastrointestinal functional recovery, alleviate postoperative ileus, and enhance patient-related outcomes through neuroimmune and autonomic modulation. Providing these modalities to patients through multidisciplinary ERAS pathways may redefine the goal of functional recovery from complication avoidance to functional restoration and personalized perioperative care.
Citation	Xu QQ, Yu Y, Gao YN. Functional recovery after abdominal surgery and the emerging role of acupuncture. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; In press

Received	2026-02-24 01:11
Peer-Review Started	2026-02-24 01:14
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-03-09 08:37
Return for Revision	2026-03-09 08:37
Revised	2026-03-10 13:04
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-04-09 02:32
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-04-09 06:57
Articles in Press	2026-04-09 06:57
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-9366 (online)
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Copyright	©Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See Permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
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