Enteral nutrition prolongs delayed gastric emptying in patients after Whipple resection

BACKGROUND: Delayed gastric emptying is one of the most frequent postoperat ive complications after Whipple resection. In the present study we evaluate d the role of enteral nutrition in the development of delayed gastric empty ing after Whipple resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1996 and June 1998, 64 patients (30 f emale, 34 male) underwent a classic (n = 27) or pylorus-preserving (n = 37) Whipple resection. Two patients were excluded; 30 patients received entera l and 32 patients received no-enteral nutrition. RESULTS: Delayed gastric emptying occurred significantly more in patients w ith enteral (17 of 30, 57%) than in patients with no-enteral nutrition (5 o f 32, 16%) (P <0.01). Consequently, patients in the enteral nutrition group had a nasogastric tube for a significantly (P <0.01) longer period and had a significantly (P <0.01) longer hospital stay than patients in the no-ent eral nutrition group. There were no differences in the frequency of occurre nce of other postoperative complications between patients with enteral and no-enteral nutrition. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing a Whipple resection, enteral nutrition i s associated with a higher frequency of delayed gastric emptying with no ad vantages regarding other postoperative complications and should therefore b e restricted to specific indications. (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.