Acute Pancreatitis

Nutrition, inflammation, and acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is acute inflammatory disease of the pancreas. Nutrition has a number of anti-inflammatory effects that could affect outcomes of patients with pancreatitis. Further, it is the most promising nonspecific treatment modality in acute pancreatitis to date. This paper summarizes the best available evidence regarding the use of nutrition with a view of optimising clinical management of patients with acute pancreatitis.

Early nasogastric tube feeding versus nil per os in mild to moderate acute pancreatitis: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Nasojejunal tube feeding is a standard of care in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis (AP) and several recent trials suggested that nasogastric tube feeding (NGT) is as safe and efficient as nasojejunal tube feeding in these patients. The aim was to investigate whether NGT presents any benefit to patients with mild to moderate AP.

METHODS

The study design was a randomized controlled trial. The patients in the intervention group received NGT within 24 h of hospital admission. The patients in the control group were on nil per os (NPO). The severity of acute pancreatitis was determined according to the new international multidisciplinary classification.

RESULTS

There were 17 patients randomly allocated to the NGT group and 18 to the NPO group. The visual analogue pain score decreased to a significantly greater extent in the NGT group (from median 9 (range 7-9) at baseline to 1 (0-3) at 72 h after randomization) compared with the NPO group (from 7 (5-9) to 3 (1-4) (p = 0.036). The number of patients not requiring opiates at 48 h after randomization was significantly different (p = 0.024) between NGT (9/17) and NPO (3/18). Oral food intolerance was observed in 1/17 patient in the NGT group and 9/18 patients in the NPO group (p = 0.004). The overall hospital stay in the NGT group was 9 (5-12) days as compared with 8.5 (6-13) days in the NPO group (p = 0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

NGT commenced within 24 h of hospital admission is well tolerated in patients with mild to moderate acute pancreatitis. Further, when compared with NPO, it significantly reduces the intensity and duration of abdominal pain, need for opiates, and risk of oral food intolerance, but not overall hospital stay.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of enteral nutrition formulations in acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Although the benefits of enteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis are well established, the optimal composition of enteral feeding is largely unknown. The aim of the study was to compare the tolerance and safety of enteral nutrition formulations in patients with acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Electronic databases (Scopus, MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register) and the proceedings of major pancreatology conferences were searched.

RESULTS

Twenty randomized controlled trials, including 1070 patients, met the inclusion criteria. None of the following was associated with a significant difference in feeding intolerance: the use of (semi)elemental versus polymeric formulation (relative risk (RR) 0.62 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0.10 to 3.97); P = 0.611); supplementation of enteral nutrition with probiotics (RR 0.69 (95 per cent c.i. 0.43 to 1.09); P = 0.110); or immunonutrition (RR 1.60 (95 per cent c.i. 0.31 to 8.29); P = 0.583). The risk of infectious complications and death did not differ significantly in any of the comparisons.

CONCLUSION

The use of polymeric, compared with (semi)elemental, formulation does not lead to a significantly higher risk of feeding intolerance, infectious complications or death in patients with acute pancreatitis. Neither the supplementation of enteral nutrition with probiotics nor the use of immunonutrition significantly improves the clinical outcomes.

Systematic review: nutritional support in acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

There has been controversy concerning the merits of enteral and parenteral nutrition compared with no supplementary nutrition in the management of patients with acute pancreatitis.

AIM

To perform a systematic review of the data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in acute pancreatitis that compares enteral nutrition with no supplementary nutrition, parenteral nutrition with no supplementary nutrition and enteral nutrition with parenteral nutrition.

METHODS

A search was undertaken in the MEDLINIE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

RESULTS

Fifteen RCTs were included. Enteral nutrition, when compared with no supplementary nutrition, was associated with no significant change in infectious complications: ratio of relative risks (RR) 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-4.32, P = 0.58, but a significant reduction in mortality: ratio of RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07-0.70, P = 0.01. Parenteral nutrition, when compared with no supplementary nutrition, was associated with no significant change in infectious complications: RR 1.36, 95% CI 0.18-10.40; P = 0.77, but a significant reduction in mortality: RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.13-0.97, P = 0.04. Enteral nutrition, when compared with parenteral nutrition, was associated with a significant reduction in infectious complications: RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.30-0.57, P < 0.001, but no significant change in mortality: RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.32-1.14, P = 0.12.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of either enteral or parenteral nutrition, in comparison with no supplementary nutrition, is associated with a lower risk of death in acute pancreatitis. Enteral nutrition is associated with a lower risk of infectious complications compared with parenteral nutrition.

Clinical effects of continuous high volume hemofiltration on severe acute pancreatitis complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

AIM: To investigate the efficiency of continuous high volume hemofiltration (HVHF) in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).

METHODS: A total of 28 SAP patients with an average of 14.36 ± 3.96 APACHE II score were involved. Diagnostic criteria for SAP standardized by the Chinese Medical Association and diagnostic criteria for MODS standardized by American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) were applied for inclusion. HVHF was started 6.0 ± 6.1 (1-30) days after onset of the disease and sustained for at least 72 h, AN69 hemofilter (1.2 m²) was changed every 24 h. The ultrafiltration rate during HVHF was 4000 mL/h, blood flow rate was 250-300 mL/min, and the substitute fluid was infused with pre-dilution. Low molecular weight heparin was used for anticoagulation.

RESULTS: HVHF was well tolerated in all the patients, and lasted for 4.04 ± 3.99 (3-24) days. 20 of the patients survived, 6 patients died and 2 of the patients quited for financial reason. The ICU mortality was 21.4%. Body temperature, heart rate and breath rate decreased significantly after HVHF. APACHE II score was 14.4 ± 3.9 before HVHF, and 9.9 ± 4.3 after HVHF, which decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood before HVHF was 68.5 ± 19.5 mmHg, and increased significantly after HVHF, which was 91.9 ± 25 mmHg (P < 0.01). During HVHF the hemodynamics was stable, and serum potassium, sodium, chlorine, glucose and pH were at normal level.

CONCLUSION: HVHF is technically possible in SAP patients complicated with MODS. It does not appear to have detrimental effects and may have beneficial effects. Continuous HVHF, which seldom disturbs the hemodynamics and causes few side-effects, is expected to become a beneficial adjunct therapy for SAP complicated with MODS.

Necrotizing pancreatitis: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and acute care management

Severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis is a disease that is caused by premature activation of pancreatic enzymes. Cytokine release contributes to systemic manifestations such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and sepsis. Diagnosis is based on a history of abdominal pain, laboratory values such as serum amylase and lipase levels, and CT scan. Medical management focuses on fluid and electrolyte balance, antibiotic therapy, pain control, and decreasing systemic complications. Surgery is indicated when infectious pancreatic necrosis has been identified. This article addresses incidence and etiology; pathophysiology; clinical manifestations; diagnostics; and medical and surgical patient care management.

Trauma-induced severe acute pancreatitis in adults: conceptual review of pathophysiological events

Trauma-induced severe acute pancreatitis in adults is used to demonstrate the complexity of a comprehensive conceptual pathophysiological review. The exemplar depicts a progression of pathological events evolving from pancreatic cell damage, as influenced by the stress response. Discussion of sequelae of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems is included, highlighting core concepts of inflammation, immunosuppression, fever, and impaired wound healing. Aspects of Neuman's Systems Model are introduced to guide the discussion. It is proposed that facilitating an in-depth conceptual understanding of pathology will enable nurses to improve "pattern" recognition, thereby enabling them to make quicker and more accurate assessments and diagnoses leading to treatment.