[Enteral nutrition support in 21 patients after opening abdomen].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) in patients underwent open-abdomen managements.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients who received at least 3 days of EN after opening the peritoneal cavity between January 2003 and November 2006 were included in this study. Energy expenditure and actual caloric and protein intake were determined in some patients. The levels of serum protein and nitrogen balance before and after the EN were analyzed. Other related complications were also evaluated.


RESULTS
Average daily total caloric intake was 93% - 95% of estimated needs. The EN support was administered (8.8 +/- 5.5) d after opening the abdominal cavity and lasted for (51.5 +/- 33.6) d. Initial serum protein levels were low and below normal but increased in all of the patients after the EN. The average nitrogen balance was (-28.6 +/- 5.4) g/d. Diarrhea, gastric reflux, vomiting and abdominal distention occurred in 67%, 23%, 9.5% and 23% of the patients, respectively. All the complications were managed well.


CONCLUSIONS
EN support could be effectively and safely given in patients requiring opening peritoneal cavity management.
Wang
Xin-Ying
XY
Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing 210002, China. wxinying@263.net
Li
Wei-Qin
WQ
Zhao
Yun-Zhao
YZ
Ren
Jian-An
JA
Li
Ning
N
Li
Jie-Shou
JS
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000601:surgery; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome