Naso-jejunal feeding in the treatment of acute pancreatitis

Background: In the past years, we routinely use naso-jejunal feeding as a part of the treatment of acute pancreatitis. With naso-jejunal feeding, we can maintain energy-balance of patients in the acute phase of pancreatitis, which might mean advantage in the recovery from pancreatitis compared to the complete starvation as has been previously adhered to.

Aim: We analysed the efficacy of naso-jejunal feeding in the treatment of acute pancreatitis in our department on the basis of the cases admitted to our hospital in 2003.

Patients: We treated 144 patients with naso-jejunal feeding (mean age: 56 years [28–85]; male-female ratio: 62/82). At admission, we recorded the body weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and the percent body fat content in all cases, and monitored every day through the hospitalization. On the basis of these data we could calculate individually the energy balance in each patient, and estimated the volume and content of naso-jejunal food necessary to maintain energy homeostasis. We evaluated the results of naso-jejunal feeding by using the Glasgow score before and after treatment.

Results: 139 patients recovered without complication. The body weight was reduced by an average of 0.8kg. The BMI and percent body fat content did not change significantly.

Conclusion: Naso-jejunal feeding is an essential part of the treatment of acute pancreatitis, and determines the outcome of the disease.