Abstract: Objective To explore the comprehensive efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in managing postoperative pain and improving gastrointestinal recovery in the elderly patients with hip fractures. Methods A total of 90 elderly patients with hip fractures undergoing artificial hip replacement at Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from June 2023 to June 2024 were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into control group (n=45, receiving conventional postoperative analgesia) and observation group (n=45, receiving TEAS in addition to conventional analgesia). Surgery-related indicators (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, time to first defecation, time to first flatus and time to first oral intake), nausea and vomiting scores 1, 2, and 3 d after operation, gastrointestinal hormone levels [motilin (MOT), gastrin (G-17), and cholecystokinin (CCK)], and pain visual analog scale (VAS) score 1, 2, and 3 d after operation were compared between the two groups. Results Compared with the control group, the time to first defecation, time to first flatus, and time to first oral intake were significantly shorter, the nausea and vomiting scores 1, 2, and 3 d after operation were significantly lower, and the serum levels of MOT and G-17 were significantly higher, while the level of CCK was significantly lower 1, 2, and 3 d after operation in the observation group (all P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in VAS scores 1, 2, and 3 d after operation and the incidence rate of adverse events between the two groups (P> 0.05). Conclusions TEAS could significantly improve gastrointestinal function and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications in the elderly patients with hip fractures. The treatment is safe and worthy for clinical promotion.

Key words: aged, hip fracture, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, pain management, gastrointestinal function recovery, postoperative complication