NUTRITION IN PERITONITIS

Peritonitis-induced stress triggers a very sophisticated humoral and m etabolic reaction. Inflammatory, immunological and vasoactive pathways act to control infection. In many cases, this response outbreaks the goal and induces multiple organ failure. Energetic and protein stores are overlaped. Then nutritional support is one of the way by which out come may improve. Some nutrients have pharmacological properties which can modulate response to stress. This new therapeutic prospect includ es new lipid substrates (fish oil, structured lipids, medium-chain tri glycerides), amino acids (glutamine, arginine) and free radical scaven gers (vitamines, trace elements or enzyme-dependant). Enteral nutritio n is probably the best way for nutritional support in this disease.