| Objective To evaluate auricular acupressure plus acupoint application in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Methods Elderly LC patients receiving ERAS in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM, 1:2 nearest-neighbor) was used to control confounders. After matching, the control group (n=138) received routine ERAS nursing, and the observation group (n=76) additionally received auricular acupressure plus acupoint application. Outcomes included QoR-15, gastrointestinal recovery time, VAS and abdominal distension scores, complications, NSNS, and skin safety. Results After PSM, baselines were balanced (P>0.05). The observation group had higher QoR-15 scores (P<0.001), shorter postoperative hospital stay, time to first ambulation, bowel sound recovery, and time to first flatus, defecation, and oral intake (P<0.05), and lower postoperative VAS at 24 and 48 h and abdominal distension scores (P<0.05). Overall complication rate did not differ (P>0.05). NSNS scores were higher in the observation group (P=0.001), and local skin adverse reactions were mild. Conclusion ERAS plus auricular acupressure and acupoint application was associated with better postoperative recovery, gastrointestinal function, pain and distension relief, and nursing satisfaction in elderly LC patients, with acceptable local skin safety.Keywords Laparoscopic cholecystectomy; Auricular acupressure; Acupoint application; Propensity score matching; Postoperative rehabilitation. |