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Evolution of nutritional support in acute pancreatitis
D N Lobo1, M A Memon, S P Allison
1Section of Surgery and Clinical Nutrition Unit, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.
The British Journal of Surgery
|June 10, 2000
Summary
Nutritional support for acute pancreatitis may not alter the disease but can prevent malnutrition. Enteral nutrition is safe and potentially superior to parenteral nutrition, though both have roles depending on the patient.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Acute pancreatitis is a severe catabolic illness with significant metabolic and nutrient demands.
- Nutritional support is a critical consideration in managing patients with severe acute pancreatitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for initiating nutritional support in acute pancreatitis.
- To evaluate the impact of nutritional support on the disease course.
Main Methods:
- Searched Medline and Science Citation Index for English-language publications up to December 1999.
- Included manual cross-referencing and excluded non-primary research articles.
Main Results:
- No evidence suggests nutritional support alters the acute pancreatitis disease process.
- Nutritional support helps prevent undernutrition and starvation during illness.
Conclusions:
- Enteral nutrition is safe, feasible, and potentially superior to parenteral nutrition.
- Parenteral nutrition remains valuable, alone or combined with enteral/oral routes, based on clinical context.