Evaluation of Role of enteral nutrition in mild and moderate acute pancreatitis

Abstract

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis creates a catabolic stress state promoting a systemic inflammatory response and nutritional deterioration. In accordance with this wide variation in clinical presentation, the treatment of acute pancreatitis requires a multidisciplinary approach. Early oral feeding is deemed to be detrimental in the early phase of Acute Pancreatitis. However, recent data suggest that enteral nutrition (EN) is not only feasible, but safer and more effective. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the safety , effectiveness and clinical outcome of Enteral nutrition in the treatment of Acute Pancreatitis. Materials and Method: This is a prospective study conducted on patients with symptoms suggestive of acute pancreatitis from October 2011 to april 2013. After initial diagnosis and assessment, patients were duly informed regarding the study and consent was obtained. The feeding patterns were initiated depending upon the severity of acute pancreatitis. Results: The study population included in the present study is comprised mostly of males (88%). Alcohol was found to be the most common etiological agent in our study. The mean duration of hospital stay in our study for patients was 9.08 3.07 days. Target nutritional delivery by the enteral route was achieved in 88% of the cases included in our study. The average time required to initiate oral feeding in our study was 7.5 2.22 days. The incidence of infective complications in our study was 5% with and non infective complications in our study was 10% . Conclusion: Enteral nutrition should be the preferred route of nutritional support in patients with acute pancreatitis.