Objective  To explore the effect of acupoint application based on midnight-noon ebb-flow acupoint selection combined with targeted penetration of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of constipation after spinal fracture surgery.

  Methods  A total of 80 cases with thoracolumbar fractures were randomly divided into control group and observation group. A total of 40 cases in the control group were given routine nursing and health education, while 40 cases in the observation group was given acupoint application at Shenque based on midnight-noon ebb-flow acupoint selection combined with targeted penetration of traditional Chinese medicine on the basis of the control group. The incidence of constipation of different types, the time to first anal exhaust, the time to first defecation, the frequency of defecation in one week, the symptom improvement time and clinical treatment effect were compared between the two groups.

  Results  The incidence of constipation in the observation group was lower, the time to first anal exhaust and the time to first defecation in the observation group were significantly shorter than those of the control group, and the defecation times in one week were significantly increased(P < 0.05). The total effective rate of constipation in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Acupoint application at Shenque based on midnight-noon ebb-flow acupoint selection combined with targeted penetration of traditional Chinese medicine can effectively reduce the occurrence of constipation after thoracolumbar fracture surgery, and improve the comfort and quality of life of patients.