Acupoint injection may ease gut troubles in ventilated patients

This trial investigates whether injecting neostigmine into the Zusanli acupoint (ST36) can improve gastrointestinal function in patients on mechanical ventilation. The study compares this approach to acupoint stimulation alone or subcutaneous neostigmine injection. Participants are critically ill adults expected to need a breathing machine for at least 48 hours and who have not had a bowel movement for 48 hours or have high gastric residual volume. The main goal is to see if the treatment increases the rate of bowel movements and reduces stomach retention within 24 hours.