When to initialize enteral nutrition in patients with severe acute pancreatitis? A retrospective review in a single institution experience (2003-2013).

Abstract The present retrospective study aimed to analyze the optimal time to initiate enteral nutrition (EN) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis at a single Chinese institution (China Medical University Hospital). A total of 1196 patients with severe acute pancreatitis were admitted in the intensive care unit between November 2003 and June 2013; 1092 patients were selected and were divided into the early and delayed EN groups, according to their initial timing of EN. Five hundred sixty-six patients were administered with the delayed EN, and 526 with the early EN. Both groups had similar severity of pancreatic necrosis, but organ failure developed in 81% patients of the delayed EN group and 21% in the early EN group (P