The Effect of Intravenous Fat Emulsions in Patients with Pancreatic Fistula

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Abstract
Three patients with pancreatic fistulae were given parenteral 10% fat emulsion (Intralipid) to study the effect of intravenous fat on pancreatic fistula output. Each patient received nutritional support with isovolumetric, isoni-trogenous, and isocaloric solutions containing either hypertonic dextrose and amino acids, or hypertonic dextrose, amino acids, and a fat emulsion. Measurements of fistula volume, fistula amylase, lipase, and chloride concentrations, and fistula trypsin activity were performed. The patients were studied for periods of 10 to 26 days. No significant increases in any of the above parameters were noted during the periods when the fat emulsions were infused. In one patient the fistula closed spontaneously. We conclude that intravenous fat emulsions may be used to provide nutritional support for patients with pancreatic fistula without increasing pancreatic juice volume or enzyme content.