Objective To observe the curative effect of catgut implantation at acupoints for functional constipation. Methods Totally 144 functional constipation patients were collected and randomized into catgut implantation group and acupuncture group with 72 in each. The catgut implantation group was treated with catgut implantation at Tianshu （ST 25）

Dachangshu （BL 25）

Shenshu （BL 23）

once every two weeks

for 8 weeks in all. The acupuncture group was given the acupuncture at routine acupoints

once each day

5 days in succession

2 days as interval

for 8 weeks in all. The clinical curative effect and the scores of defecation intervals

feces quality

and arduousness for defecation of the two groups after treatment were observed. Results The total effective rate of the catgut implantation group was 94.44%

and that of the acupuncture group was 80.56%. The clinical curative effect of the two groups was statistically different （P<0.05）. The scores of defecation intervals

feces quality

and arduousness for defecation of the two groups after treatment were all decreased （P<0.05）. The comparison between the groups after treatment showed that the scores of the catgut implantation group were lower than those of the acupuncture group （P<0.05）. Conclusion The catgut implantation at acupoints for functional constipation is good in curative effect

better than the traditional acupuncture treatment.