ENTERAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT IN ACUTE ALCOHOLIC PANCREATITIS

Background: The experience to date with total enteral nutritional (TEN ) support in acute alcoholic pancreatitis patients admitted to the Uni versity of Kentucky affiliated hospitals was reviewed. Methods: Standa rd enteral formulas sufficient to meet patient's needs were administer ed into the small bowel via endoscopically placed nasoenteric feeding tubes in five patients. Feedings were administered for a mean of 28.4 days. Pancreatitis was mild to moderate in severity by Ranson's criter ia in four patients, and severe in one. Results: Four patients develop ed complications of pancreatitis before initiation of TEN, representin g the most common indication for nutritional support. Nutritional stat us was maintained by TEN with no significant complications from this n utritional support identified, Diarrhea that did not limit tube feedin g developed in a single patient. Conclusion: This experience further s upports the safety of TEN in acute pancreatitis and suggests that adeq uate nutritional support can be delivered by this route.