A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 8 studies with a total of 348 subjects. Comparing enteral nutrition (EN) to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for acute pancreatitis, the RR for death was 0.50 (95% CI 0.28 to 0.91), for multiple organ failure (MOF) 0.55 (95% CI 0.37 to 0.81), for systemic infection 0.39 (95% CI 0.23 to 0.65), for operative interventions 0.44 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.67), for local septic complications 0.74 (95% CI 0.40 to 1.35), and for other local complications 0.70 (95% CI 0.43 to 1.13). Mean length of hospital stay was reduced by 2.37 days in EN vs TPN groups (95% CI -7.18 to 2.44). Furthermore, a subgroup analysis for EN vs TPN in patients with severe acute pancreatitis showed a RR for death of 0.18 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.58) and a RR for MOF of 0.46 (95% CI 0.16 to 1.29).
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (few outcome events).
Primary/Secondary Keywords