Dietary intake after pancreatectomy

Background: Nutritional intake after pancreatectomy may be impaired. The ex tent of the problem and the effect on intake of specific nutrients is unkno wn. Methods: A 1-week weighed dietary food intake (using digital scales and a f ood diary) was studied in 15 patients, a median of 4 (range 1-30) months af ter pancreatectomy. Results were expressed as a percentage of estimated ave rage requirement (EAR), reference nutrient intake (RNI) or lower RNI (LRNI) values. Results: The median energy intake was 1914 (range 1154-2804) kcal/day, repr esenting a median of 88 (56-154) per cent of EAR. Fat intake was low (72 (6 0-123) g/day); protein intake was adequate (139 (99-219) per cent of RNI). Deficiencies were observed in the intake of vitamin D (17 (6-56) per cent o f LRNI) and, in some patients, selenium (107 (19-203) per cent of LRNI), Conclusion: Nutritional intake in the months after pancreatectomy could be improved by increasing fat intake (with enzyme supplements as appropriate), This 7-day study. also suggests that these patients may require vitamin D and possibly selenium supplementation.