Abstract：Objective：To observe the effect of the additional hot medicinal compress with modified Wuzi powder at the abdomen on the recovery from gastrointestinal dysfunction(GIDF) in senile patients undergoing mechanical ventilation based on routine medical measures. Methods：A total of 88 cases of senile patients undergoing mechanical ventilation concomitant with GIDF were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group，44 cases in each group. Both groups were given continuous gastrointestinal decompression，nutritional support and other comprehensive treatment measures，the oral administration of domperidone tablets，live combined bifidobacterium and lactobacillus tablets，and omeprazole magnesium enteric- coated tablets，as well as routine comprehensive nursing measures. The observation group was additionally given hot medicinal compress with modified Wuzi powder at the abdomen based on the treatment of the control group. Both groups were treated for seven days. Before and after treatment， severity score of GIDF and the score of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health EvaluationⅡScoring System(APACHEⅡ) were evaluated. Intra-abdominal pressure was measured. The time of mechanical ventilation， hospitalization time at intensive care unit(ICU)， and the incidence of stress ulcer， toxic enteroparalysis， gastrointestinal failure and other severe gastrointestinal complications were recorded. Results： After treatment， the scores of GIDF and APACHE Ⅱ in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01)，and intra- abdominal pressure was decreased(P＜0.01). The scores of GIDF and APACHEⅡ as well as intra- abdominal pressure value in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P＜0.01). The time of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization time at ICU in the observation group were shortened when compared with those in the control group(P＜0.01). The cumulative incidence of stress ulcer，toxic enteroparalysis，and gastrointestinal failure were 18.18% in the observation group，lower than that of 40.91% in the control group，the difference being significant(P＜0.05). Conclusion：Based on routine medical measures，the additional intervention of hot medicinal compress with modified Wuzi powder at the abdomen has promoting effect on the recovery from GIDF in senile patients undergoing mechanical ventilation concomitant with GIDF，as well as relives symptoms，shortens the course of disease，and reduces the incidence of severe gastrointestinal complications.