Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy for Abdominal Obesity Treatment

Summary

This study explores acupoint catgut embedding therapy for obesity, covering patient management, material preparation, acupoint selection, surgery, and post-operative care.

Abstract

As the global economy grows and living standards improve, the rise in overweight and obese individuals poses a significant public health challenge. This trend is predominantly linked to lifestyle changes and poor dietary habits, resulting in increased abdominal obesity characterized by fat accumulation in the abdominal region and associated symptoms such as indigestion, constipation, and fatigue. Acupoint embedding therapy uses absorbable sutures inserted into specific acupoints for continuous stimulation, aiding in the treatment of abdominal obesity, metabolic issues, and digestive disorders. Its main goals are to regulate metabolism, improve digestion, and reduce fat. This paper offers a thorough exploration of the comprehensive management of thread-embedding acupuncture for obesity treatment. It meticulously outlines critical aspects of patient management and material preparation and provides precise guidance on acupoint selection, surgical procedures, and postoperative care. This structured treatment protocol aims to ensure procedural safety and efficacy, thereby optimizing clinical outcomes for patients with abdominal obesity and ultimately improving their overall quality of life.

Introduction

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome has contributed to a global increase in overweight and obesity, affecting approximately half of the population and imposing significant socioeconomic burdens¹. Abdominal obesity, also known as central or visceral obesity, is characterized by the accumulation of fat primarily around the abdominal area. Apart from its impact on appearance, obesity can affect organ function due to the buildup of visceral fat². Studies indicate that abdominal obesity significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, and stroke³

Protocol

The study received approval from the ethics committee of Zhejiang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (2024-058). According to the World Health Organization's obesity diagnostic criteria²³, overweight is defined as BMI ≥24 kg/m², and obesity is classified as BMI ≥28 kg/m². The guidelines established by the Chinese Joint Committee for Developing Chinese Guidelines²⁴ define abdominal obesity as waist circumference &#.......

Discussion

Acupoint embedding therapy, a traditional Chinese medical practice, involves the insertion of absorbable protein threads (e.g., catgut) into specific acupoints to stimulate meridians and achieve therapeutic effects²⁸. This therapy provides continuous stimulation to acupoints, regulating the endocrine system, boosting metabolism, suppressing appetite, improving digestion, and modulating the nervous system, thereby promoting weight loss²⁹. Targeting abdominal acupoints direct.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection	Hubei Kelun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.	27587	Step 3.4
4-0 Absorbable Suture	Aixikang Liability Co., Ltd	VCP304	Step 3.4
7.5% povidone-iodine solution	Hangzhou Minsheng Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd	100027934422	Step 3.3
Body composition analyzer	Inbody	inbody770	Step 2
Disposable gloves and Aseptic Cotton Ball	Guilin Zizhu Latex Products Co., Ltd	25603	Step 3.4
Disposable Sterile Injection Needle	Zhejiang Lingyang Medical Devices Co., Ltd.	3150307	Step 3.4
Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel	China Resources Zizhu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.	0928011800008	Step 3.4
single-use cotton swabs	Jiangsu Kangbao Medical Equipment Co.,Ltd	20162640939	Step 3.3
Sterile Surgical Scissors	Haishi Hainuo Group Co., Ltd	100048301274	Step 3.4
Surgical gauze dressing	Wenjian Medical Supplies Co., Ltd	601-026576-01	Step 3.4