Effectiveness of acupuncture for postoperative gastrointestinal recovery in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery: a prospective randomized controlled study Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (PGD) is one of the most common complications among patients who have undergone thoracic surgery. Acupuncture has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat gastrointestinal diseases and has shown benefit as an alternative therapy for the management of digestive ailments. The addition of acupuncture to usual care appeared to improve recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function, including shortening the time taken to first fluid intake, and alleviating post-operative pain in these patients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37800350/