Migrating motility complexes persist after severe traumatic shock in patients who tolerate enteral nutrition

Postinjury small bowel ileus is poorly characterized and may be an important factor in intolerance to enteral nutrition (EN). We, therefore, placed jejunal manometry catheters in high-risk trauma patients. Our hypothesis was that the presence of "fasting migrating motility complex (MMC)" activity and conversion to a "fed pattern" at goal rate of EN would be present in those patients who tolerate jejunal feeding.

After obtaining baseline fasting manometry pressure tracings, jejunal feeding was advanced stepwise to a set goal while tolerance was monitored and intolerance was treated by a standard approach.

Of the 10 study patients, 7 were able to be maintained on EN. Five (50%) had "fasting MMCs" and had good tolerance to early advancement of EN. The remaining five patients did not exhibit "fasting MMCs" and four had poor tolerance to early advancement of EN. Overall, nine patients reached goal rate of EN of which four converted to a "fed pattern." This, however, was not associated with later tolerance to EN.

EN is feasible following severe traumatic shock. Surprisingly, half of the patients had fasting MMCs. This requires intact neural and motor function and was associated with good tolerance of early EN.