Does jejunal feeding with a polymeric immune-enhancing formula increase pancreatic exocrine output as compared with TPN? A case report

This case report compares the pancreatic output with different feeding regi mes in a patient who underwent a partial pancreatectomy for carcinoma of th e ampulla of Vater. A postoperative secretin stimulation test demonstrated significant pancreatic reserve; There was no difference in pancreatic exocr ine secretion when the patient was fed jejunally with a polymeric immune-en hancing formula or supported with two different formulations of total paren teral nutrition. This result suggests that jejunal infusion of a polymeric immune-enhancing formula may be safe to administer in patients with acute p ancreatitis. (C) Elsevier Science Inc. 2000.