Acceleration of postoperative recovery with brief intraoperative vagal nerve stimulation mediated via the autonomic mechanism

IntroductionPostoperative recovery is largely dependent on the restoration of gastrointestinal motility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of intraoperative vagus nerve stimulation (iVNS) on postoperative recovery from abdominal surgery in rats.MethodsThe Nissen fundoplication surgery was performed on two groups of rats: sham-iVNS group and iVNS group (VNS was performed during surgery). Animal’s behavior, eating, drinking and feces’ conditions were monitored at specific postoperative days. Gastric slow waves (GSWs) and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded; blood samples were collected for the assessment of inflammatory cytokines.Results(1) iVNS shortened initiate times to water and food intake (p = 0.004) and increased the number of fecal pellets (p