CLINICAL BENEFITS OF AN IMMUNE-ENHANCING DIET FOR EARLY POSTINJURY ENTERAL FEEDING

In this multicenter prospective controlled trial, 98 evaluable patient s sustaining major torso trauma were randomized to receive early enter al nutrition with a new ''immune-enhancing'' diet (study: n = 51) or a standard stress enteral formula (control: n = 47). At baseline, both groups had comparable demographics and Injury Severity Scores. After 7 days of feeding, the groups had equivalent increases in serum total p rotein, albumin, and transferrin concentrations. Patients receiving th e ''immune-enhancing'' diet, however, experienced significantly greate r increases in total lymphocyte (p = 0.014), T lymphocyte (p = 0.04), and T-helper (p = 0.004) cell numbers. Additionally, these patients ha d significantly fewer intra-abdominal abscesses (study, 0% vs. control , 11%; p = 0.023) and significantly less multiple organ failure (study , 0% vs. control, 11%; p = 0.023). In conclusion, this multicenter tri al suggests this ''immune-enhancing'' enteral diet offers clinical ben efits in stressed surgical patients.