Acute pancreatitis: practical considerations in nutrition support.

Acute pancreatitis is a clinical syndrome defined by a discrete episode of abdominal pain and elevations in serum enzyme levels. Seventy-five percent to 85% of all pancreatic episodes are considered mild and self-limiting and do not require intervention with nutrition support. Considering the significant risk of malnutrition in moderate to severe forms of pancreatic injury, enteral nutrition has more recently been documented in its benefit as an adjunct to management. In addition, it may play a role in obviating the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and in modifying the course of the disease. This paper reviews practical considerations in feeding patients with severe acute pancreatitis, including discussion of gastric versus post-pyloric feeding, choice of enteral product, and relative role and optimization of parenteral nutrition support.