Early oral refeeding wisdom in patients with mild acute pancreatitis

Pancreas. 2013 Jan;42(1):88-91. doi: 10.1097/MPA.0b013e3182575fb5.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of early oral refeeding (EORF) in patients with mild acute pancreatitis (AP) and to investigate the optimal duration to commence EORF.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in patients with mild AP. Patients with EORF (started oral feeding once they subjectively felt hungry) were compared with patients receiving routine oral refeeding (RORF) for time interval between disease onset and initiation of oral refeeding, total length of hospitalization (LOH), postrefeeding LOH, and adverse gastrointestinal events.

Results: There were 75 and 74 patients in the EORF group and the RORF group, respectively, with comparable baseline characteristics. Patients in the EORF group started refeeding significantly earlier than those in the RORF group (4.56 ± 1.53 vs 6.75 ± 2.29 days; P < 0.05). Moreover, patients in the EORF group had significantly shorter total (6.8 ± 2.1 vs 10.4 ± 4.1 days; P < 0.01) and post refeeding LOH (2.24 ± 0.52 vs 3.27 ± 0.61 days; P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in adverse gastrointestinal events between the 2 groups.

Conclusion: In patients with mild AP, EORF, with the subjective feeling of hunger, is safe, feasible, and reduces LOH.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • China
  • Eating*
  • Enteral Nutrition* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hunger
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatitis / diagnosis
  • Pancreatitis / physiopathology
  • Pancreatitis / psychology
  • Pancreatitis / therapy*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recovery of Function
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult