Enteral nutritional support in acute alcoholic pancreatitis.

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Abstract
The experience to date with total enteral nutritional (TEN) support in acute alcoholic pancreatitis patients admitted to the University of Kentucky affiliated hospitals was reviewed. Standard enteral formulas sufficient to meet patient's needs were administered into the small bowel via endoscopically placed nasoenteric feeding tubes in five patients. Feedings were administered for a mean of 28.4 days. Pancreatitis was mild to moderate in severity by Ranson's criteria in four patients, and severe in one. Four patients developed complications of pancreatitis before initiation of TEN, representing the most common indication for nutritional support. Nutritional status was maintained by TEN with no significant complications from this nutritional support identified. Diarrhea that did not limit tube feeding developed in a single patient. This experience further supports the safety of TEN in acute pancreatitis and suggests that adequate nutritional support can be delivered by this route.