title: Pancreatic extracts are necessary for the absorption of elemental and polymeric enteral diets in severe pancreatic insufficiency.
abstract: Tube feeding nutrition, either elemental or polymeric, is increasingly used in patients with digestive problems. Pancreatic insufficiency is a widely accepted indication for the use of an elemental formula, which requires less residual digestive capacity. To confirm this assumption, we have compared the absorption of elemental and polymeric diets and the effect of exogenous pancreatic enzymes in a patient on long-term total enteral feeding after total pancreatectomy. Malabsorption of both formulas was observed without enzyme supplementation. A marked improvement of fat and nitrogen absorption was obtained when pancreatic enzymes were added to both enteral diets. It is concluded that pancreatic enzymes should always be added to liquid diets in pancreatic insufficiency. No clear advantage is to be anticipated by the use of elemental as compared with polymeric diets.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Gastroenterology, Rehabilitation Hospital of Verona University, Valeggio sul Mincio, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caliari
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonfante
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Brentegani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fioretta
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vantini
mesh_terms: D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D010188:Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010184:Pancreatic Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011182:Postoperative Care
chemical_list: D010184:Pancreatic Extracts