Objective To evaluate the efficiency and safety of Zhishi Tongjiang Granule on postoperative gastrointestinal function restoration and prevention & treatment of early postoperative inflammatory ileus in patients with colorectal carcinoma. Methods Multicentric prospective randomized double-blind control method was adopted.One hundred and ninety-seven patients with colorectal carcinoma for surgery were divided into an experimental group（ 98 patients）

and a control group（ 99 patients）. During the perioperative period

both groups were given routine treatment. At 6 to 12 h after operation

the experimental group began to take Zhishi Tongjiang Granule（ made into50 ml liquor） orally or through nasogastric tube with small amount frequently

one dose a day. The control group was only given placebo of equal volume. Recovery time of bowel sounds

the first exhaust time

first defecation time

first solid food time

length of hospital stay

and the incidence of intestinal ileus

as well as the occurrence of adverse reactions and complications were recorded. The safety index changes were also observed. Results The postoperative recovery time of bowel sounds

the first exhaust time

first defecation time and the first solid food time in the experimental group were significantly shorter than those in the control group（ P < 0. 01）. Six cases in the control group and 4 cases in the experimental group had early postoperative inflammatory ileus. The average length of hospital stay in the experimental group was（ 14 + 0. 82） days

which was significantly shorter than（ 19. 33 + 3. 98） days in the control group（ P < 0. 05）. There were no significant differences in rate of complications and incidence of abnormal liver function between the two groups（ P > 0. 05）. On the fifth day after operation

levels of procalcitonin decreased more significantly in the experimental group compared with that in the control group（ P < 0. 05）. Conclusion Zhishi Tongjiang Granule could promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients with colorectal carcinoma after gastrointestinal surgery

and could prevent and treat early postoperative inflammatory ileus with good safety.