Clinical Research Directory

The ACURE Trial: Acupuncture for Colorectal Recovery

Purpose: The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether electroacupuncture (EA) can accelerate the recovery of bowel function in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer. Main Questions to be Answered: Does electroacupuncture reduce the time to the first bowel movement after surgery compared to standard care or a "sham" (placebo) treatment? Can electroacupuncture improve overall gastrointestinal tolerance and reduce postoperative discomfort? Study Design: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Electroacupuncture Group: Receives active electrical stimulation at specific acupuncture points. Sham Acupuncture Group: Receives superficial needling at non-treatment points with no electrical current to serve as a placebo. Standard Care Group: Receives standard hospital recovery protocols (ERAS) without acupuncture. All treatments will consist of four 30-minute sessions: one before surgery and three on the days following the procedure. Researchers will compare the three groups to see if the electroacupuncture group experiences a faster return of digestive function.

Effect of Lollipop on Postoperative Gastrointestinal Recovery in Children

Postoperative ileus is common in children. There are various method to prevent postoperative ileus. In this study, the investigators will explore the role of sucking lollipop after operation on the recovery of gastrointestinal function in children.

Preventing Gastrointestinal Disturbance in Patients After Longitudinal Laparotomy.

This is a multi-center, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 pilot efficacy study.

Time to Return of Bowel Function Following Perioperative Probiotics in Colorectal Cancer Surgery

There is pre-existing evidence that probiotics could be useful in the improvement of ileus rates. One metaanalysis of 30 studies demonstrated a reduction in the prevalence of post-operative ileus as determined by time to flatus, time to defecation, as well as postoperative abdominal distension (PMID:37373843). More broadly in gastrointestinal surgery, a meta-analysis of 21 randomised controlled trials similarly affirmed the speedier recovery of gastrointestinal function after surgery when probiotics were administered (PMID: 35231076). In spite of these advantages, the routine use of probiotics perioperatively for colorectal cancer surgery is not performed in Singapore. We therefore seek to perform a trial to investigate whether probiotic administration perioperatively may reduce post operative ileus rates.