Fig. 2.

Comparison of the numbers of remnant sitz markers in the small intestine between the A and NA groups. Significantly fewer sitz markers are found in the small intestine in the A group than in the NA group on postoperative days 3 and 5 (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Significantly fewer remnant sitz markers are detected in the A group than in the NA group with respect to the time and group interaction (P<0.001).

A = acupuncture; NA = non-acupuncture; SE = standard error; POD = postoperative day.

^*Statistically significant difference (P<0.05).