Immediate feeding tolerance in patients with mild acute biliary pancreatitis

Abstract

Background: Mild acute pancreatitis is defined as pancreatic edema, without organic failure and without local complications. Its management consists in three basic elements: Hydration, analgesia and fasting. Start refeeding when the patient haveńt pain and referring hungry, but exact time for this is not previously documented. Objective: To determine the tolerance to immediate oral feeding (8 hours after the start of management) compared to early feeding (48 hours) in patients with mild acute biliary pancreatitis. Method: Included all patient with mild acute biliary pancreatitis, and they were randomized in to two groups: A) early oral feeding (n = 30) and B) immediate oral feeding (n = 29). They were evaluated by a third blind observer (not involved in the study) for documented symptoms like nausea, vomiting, reactivation of abdominal pain, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, food tolerance and hospital stay. Results: There were no significant differences between both groups in the clinical data or in the biochemical studies. The hospital stay was significantly less in the group B (5.4 vs. 7.8 days; p < 0.003). Conclusion: Immediate oral feeding is well tolerated and secure in patients with mild acute biliary pancreatitis.