Early Enteral Feeding in Adult patients with Acute Pancreatitis

Authors

DAVIN NYANGAU, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Hospitalist

Advisor

Dr. Sarah Bolander DMSc, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review if early enteral feeding in patients with Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is safe and if it is associated with shorter length of hospital stay (LOHS).

Method: PubMed, Free Medical Journals, and Directory of Open Access Journals were used as research sources. Some of the keywords used in the search included: AP management, early oral feeding in AP and nutritional support in AP.

Results: Studies demonstrate that in patients with mild and moderate acute pancreatitis, early enteral nutrition (EN) is feasible, safe and is associated with shorter LOHS.¹

Conclusion: When compared to a nil-per-mouth and normal oral refeeding approach in patients with mild and moderate AP, studies have shown that early enteral nutrition is feasible, safe, and may speed recovery without adverse gastrointestinal effects. Early oral enteral nutrition has also been associated with shorter length of stay in the hospital (LOHS)². This cost-effective reduction in LOHS has huge positive implications including minimizing the expenses of patient care, improving clinical, operational, and financial outcomes. Shorter LOHS also reduces the likelihood of patients contracting hospital-acquired infection.³ Even with this positively significant conclusion, controversies remain, and more studies are required to further verify this conclusion.

Recommended Citation

NYANGAU D. Early Enteral Feeding in Adult patients with Acute Pancreatitis. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2022; 4(3).