Management of digestive complications associated with enteral nutrition in critically ill patients

The digestive complications of enteral nutrition (EN) are frequent in critically ill patients. However, the complications clinically significant, with major discomfort, with prognosis impairment, or increasing nurse's workload, are finally less frequent. On the other hand, they are often associated with enteral discontinuation and Undernutrition. The understanding of the EN-related gastroparesis and diarrhoea mechanisms is essential in their control. Protocols implementation, adapted to every intensive care unit, discussed with the crew, is the only means to limit these complications and to reduce the opportunities to interrupt EN. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.