Enteral Nutrition Support Reduces the Necessity of Total Parenteral Nutrition to Reach Patient-Specific Caloric Goals Postpancreaticoduodenectomy

Objectives Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is associated with significant rates of postoperative complications. Although there is evidence that enteral nutrition support (ENS) may reduce postoperative sepsis, the true value of ENS in the abrogation of septic complications remains controversial. The aim of our study is to investigate the postoperative outcome of patients post-PD with and without ENS. Methods Using our prospective institutional database, we identified 202 patients from 2001 through 2009 who underwent PD. Of the 202 patients, 121 matched our inclusion criteria. In total, 67 of 121 (55.4%) patients received ENS, whereas 54 (44.6%) patients had no ENS and served as controls. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were recorded and analyzed. Results No significant differences were found in the postoperative morbidity of the patients. The anastomotic leak rate was 13% in both the ENS and control groups (P = 0.846). There was no difference in mortality within the two groups (4% vs 5%, P = 0.881). Significantly more patients in the control group received total parenteral nutrition (P = 0.033). Conclusions ENS is not associated with lower rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality. It does, however, reduce the necessity of additional total parenteral nutrition to reach patient-specific caloric goals.