Abstract
This study aimed to compare the preference of different methods of nutritional support for patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Patients with SAP were divided into the enteral nutrition group (EN group, 16 cases), total the parenteral nutrition group (TPN group, 14 cases), and the enteral plus total parenteral nutrition group (EN+TPN group, 15 cases). At 7 days after admisson, TPN and EN+TPN groups showed significantly increased Ranson scores compared with the EN group (p < .05). At 14 and 21 days after admisson, TPN and EN+TPN groups exhibited significantly increased Acute Physology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores, Ranson scores, and intra-abdominal pressure compared with the EN group (p < .05 or p < .01). The incidences of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and its complication in the EN group were significantly lower than the TPN and EN+TPN groups (p < .05). Hospital stay was significantly lower, but the incidences of abdominal distenson and regurgitation complications were significantly higher in the EN group than in the TPN and EN+TPN groups (p < .05). In concluson, early enteral nutrition could significantly improve nutritional status of patients with SAP, shorten the course of the disease, and reduce the incidences of infection, death, and complication, but also increase the risk of abdominal distenson and regurgitation.