Efficacy of Nasogastric and Nasojejunal Enteral Feeding in the Early Phase of Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract

Enteral nutrition in the early phase of predicted severe acute pancreatitis can be administered via a nasogastric or nasojejunal tube. Finding the most effective method in terms of daily balance, the volume of feeding and residual gastric volume in the early period of moderate and severe acute pancreatitis is a current challenge. The aim of the study was to estimate the efficacy of nasogastric and nasojejunal early enteral feeding during the early phase of predicted severe acute pancreatitis. Material and methods. The study was prospective, single-center, and randomized. The data were collected from November 2012 to October 2018. The study included 64 ICU patients in the early period of acute pancreatitis exhibiting predictors of severity. During randomization, the patients were assigned to either nasogastric (group 1) or nasojejunal (group 2) feeding for the next four days. The volume of enteral feeding on Day 1 was 250 ml/day, and on each successive day it was increased by 250 ml/day. During group allocation, the disease severity and the way of nutrient administration were taken into account. Daily balance was calculated using the difference between enterally administered and residual gastric volume. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.23 software package. The null hypothesis was rejected at P < 0.05. Results. The volume of enteral nutrition administered over 4 days did not differ between the study groups. Patients with severe acute pancreatitis had significantly better nutrient absorption over 4 days when the postpyloric route was used (1.63±0.98 l/d) vs the nasogastric one (0.55±0.29 l/d) (P=0.001). In moderate pancreatitis, the enteral nutrition absorption over 4 days did not differ (P=0.107) between the groups with nasogastric (2.06±0.87 l/day) and nasojejunal (2.6±0.45 l/day) feeding. Conclusion. Nasojejunal route is the preferred way to start enteral feeding in patients with severe acute pancreatitis. In moderate acute pancreatitis, feeding can be initiated via the gastric route and only in case of intolerance it should be switched to the nasojejunal one.