Clinical and biochemical outcomes after a randomized trial with a high dose of enteral arginine formula in postsurgical head and neck cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing surgery have a high incidence of postoperative complications. The aim of our study was to investigate whether postoperative nutrition of head and neck cancer patients, using a higher dose of arginine-enhanced diet (17 g/day) than previous studies, could improve nutritional variables as well as clinical outcomes, when compared with a control enteral diet. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Tertiary care. SUBJECTS: A population of 72 patients with oral and laryngeal cancer was enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: At surgery, patients were randomly allocated to two groups: (a) 35 patients receiving an arginine-enhanced formula with arginine (group I) and (b) 37 patients receiving an isocaloric, isonitrogenous enteral formula (group II). RESULTS: No significant intergroup differences in the trend of the three plasma proteins (albumin, transferrin, prealbumin) and lymphocytes were detected. Episodes of diarrhea rate were equal in both groups (22.8% group I and 21.6% group II: NS). The postoperative infections complications were equal in both groups (5.7% group I and 5.4% group II: NS). Fistula (wound complication) was less frequent in enriched nutrition group (2.8% group I and 18.9% group II: P<0.05), whereas wound infection was similar in both groups. The length of postoperative stay was similar in both (27.9+/-21 vs 28.2+/-12 days; NS). CONCLUSIONS: At this dose, arginine-enhanced formula improves fistula rates in postoperative head and neck cancer patients without a high rate of diarrhea.     

Effect of c-reactive protein and interleukins blood levels in postsurgery arginine-enhanced enteral nutrition in head and neck cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: It is known that the immune system is frequently affected in patients with head and neck cancer. Although immune dysfunction could be multifactorial, this immune system may be modulated by specific nutritional substrates, such as arginine. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of enteral nutrition supplemented with arginine on c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor (TNFalpha) in surgical head and neck cancer patients. DESIGN: Randomized trial. SETTING: Tertiary care. SUBJECTS: A population of 36 patients with oral and laryngeal cancer were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: At surgery patients were randomly allocated to two groups: (a) patients receiving an enteral diet supplements with arginine and dietary fibre (group I, n=18); (b) patients receiving an isocaloric, isonitrogenous enteral formula (group II, n=18). Perioperatively and on postoperative day 5 the following parameters were evaluated: serum values of prealbumin, transferrin, albumin, total number of lymphocytes, interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor alpha and c-reactive protein. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.6+/-10.9 y (two females/34 males). No significant intergroup differences in the trend of the three plasma proteins and weight were detected. CRP decreased in both groups (group I: 152.9+/-76.9 vs 68.9+/-82.5 mg/dl; P<0.05; and group II: 105.9+/-92 vs 43.6+/-59.1 mg/dl; P<0.05). Interleukin 6 did not change (group I: 16.3+/-12.3 vs 35.6+/-83.4 pg/ml; NS; and group II: 22.8+/-40 vs 9.9+/-17.7 pg/ml; NS). TNFalpha did not show any differences (group I: 4.6+/-1.6 vs 5.1+/-1.5 pg/ml; NS; and group II: 8.8+/-6.1 vs 5.8+/-1.7 pg/ml; NS). Lymphocytes increased in both groups (group I: 1405.6+/-517 vs 1634+/-529 x 10(6)/ml; P<0.05; and group II: 1355+/-696 vs 1561+/-541 x 10(6)/ml; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced formula did not change IL6 and TNFalpha levels. Further studies are needed to determine whether route of nutrition or type of formula is the key in these patients.     

Postsurgery enteral nutrition in head and neck cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing surgery have a high incidence of postoperative complications. The aim of our study was to investigate whether postoperative nutrition of head and neck cancer patients, using an arginine-enriched diet, could improve nutritional variables as well as clinical outcomes. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Tertiary care. SUBJECTS: A population of 47 patients with oral and laryngeal cancer were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: At surgery patients were randomly allocated to two groups: (a) patients receiving an enteral diet supplemented with arginine and fiber (group I); (b) patients receiving an isocaloric, isonitrogenous enteral formula (group II). RESULTS: No significant intergroup differences in the trend of the three plasma proteins and lymphocytes were detected. Gastrointestinal tolerance (diarrhea) of both formulas was good (17.4% group I and 8.3% group II; NS). During the 3 months after hospital discharge five patients died; no differences were detected between groups (13% group I and 8.3% group II; NS). The incidences postoperative infection complications were similar (nine patients) in both groups (21.7% group I and 16.7% group II; NS). Fistula were less frequent in enriched nutrition group (0% group I and 20.8% group II; P<0.05); wound infection was more frequent in group II, but without statistical difference (4.3% group I and 12.5% group II; NS). The length of postoperative stay was 22.8+/-11.8 days in the enriched group and 31.2+/-19.1 days in the control group (P=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, enriched formula improves local wound complications in postoperative head and neck cancer patients. Our results suggest that these patients could benefit from an immunonutrient-enhanced enteral formula.     

Postoperative enteral immunonutrition in head and neck cancer patients

AIMS: to determine if postoperative feeding of head and neck cancer patients, using an enteral diet supplemented with arginine, improves immunological and nutritional status, and clinical outcome, i.e., reduces postoperative infectious/wound complications and length of stay, when compared with an isocaloric, isonitrogenous control diet. METHODS: at operation 44 patients were randomized into two groups to receive: a) an enriched diet (n=23);b) an isocaloric, isonitrogenous control diet (n=21). Thirteen patients with a history of significant weight loss (> or = 10% over the last 6 months) were considered malnourished. Preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 4 and 8 the following parameters were evaluated: albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, total number of lymphocytes, lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD4/CD8 ratio) and immunoglobulins. Postoperative complications and length of stay were recorded. RESULTS: 'visceral' serum proteins and immunological parameters decreased on postoperative day 1 in both groups. However, only the enriched group demonstrated a significant increase (P<0.05) in the total number of lymphocytes, CD4, CD4/CD8 on postoperative day 4, and total number of lymphocytes, CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 on postoperative day 8. In the malnourished subgroup the administration of the enriched formula significantly reduced both postoperative infectious/wound complications and length of stay compared with the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: enteral immunonutrition of head and neck cancer patients improves postoperative immunological response. Significant clinical advantages were observed in malnourished patients.     

Influence of G308A polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene on inflammatory markers in postsurgical head and neck cancer patients with early enteral nutrition

OBJECTIVE: Although immune dysfunction in patients with cancer could be multifactorial, the immune system may be modulated by nutritional substrates and genetic background. Our study evaluated the effect of G308A polymorphism of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene on inflammatory markers in patients after surgery for head and neck cancer who received early enteral nutrition. METHODS: A population of 60 patients with oral and laryngeal cancer was enrolled. At surgery patients were treated with a hyperproteic enteral diet. Perioperatively and on postoperative day 6 the following parameters were evaluated: serum values of prealbumin, transferrin, total number of lymphocytes, interleukin-6, TNF-alpha, and C-reactive protein. In addition, genotyping of G308A gene polymorphism was assessed. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 61.1 +/- 14.6 y (four women, 56 men) with a body mass index of 25.4 +/- 5.2 kg/m(2) and a previous weight loss of 0.35 +/- 0.2 kg. Forty patients (37 men, 3 women; 66.6%) had the genotype G308/G308 (wild group) and 20 patients (19 men, 1 woman; 23.4%) had the genotype G308/A308 (mutant group). A significant increase in prealbumin and transferrin levels was detected in both groups. C-reactive protein decreased in both groups (wild group: 105.1 +/- 60 versus 53.8 +/- 62.3 mg/dL, P < 0.05; mutant group: 99.5 +/- 46 versus 43.9 +/- 51.9 mg/dL, P < 0.05). Interleukin-6 decreased in both groups (wild group: 20.1 +/- 22 versus 6.2 +/- 4.1 pg/mL, P < 0.05; mutant group: 22.3 +/- 38 versus 9.2 +/- 7.4 pg/mL, P = NS). Lymphocytes increased in both groups (wild group: 1102 +/- 468 versus 1600 +/- 537 10(3)/mL, P = NS; mutant group: 1441 +/- 739 10(3)/mL versus 1669 +/- 614 10(6)/mL, P = NS). TNF-alpha showed no changes. CONCLUSION: The G308A polymorphism of the TNF-alpha gene did not affect levels of inflammatory markers in patients after surgery for head and neck cancer who were treated with early enteral nutrition.     

Perioperative enteral nutrition and quality of life of severely malnourished head and neck cancer patients: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study evaluated the use of perioperative nutritional support on Quality of Life (QOL) in malnourished head and neck cancer patients undergoing surgery. METHODS: 49 Malnourished (weight loss >10%) head and neck cancer patients who were included in a nutrition intervention trial were randomized to receive either no preoperative and standard postoperative tube-feeding (group I), standard preoperative and postoperative tube-feeding (group II) or arginine-supplemented preoperative and postoperative tube-feeding (group III). Of these patients, 31 completed a full QOL assessment on the first day of preoperative nutritional support, one day before surgery, and 6 months after surgery. Both a disease-specific (EORTC QLQ-C30) and a generic questionnaire (COOP-WONCA) were used. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Kruskal-Wallis test were applied for testing differences in scores between groups. RESULTS: Between baseline and the day before surgery, both preoperatively fed groups revealed a positive change for the dimensions physical and emotional functioning and dyspnea (with significance in group II, P=0.050,0.031,0.045 respectively). Group III showed a negative change in appetite (P=0.049). Between baseline and 6 months after surgery, there were no differences between group I and both pre-fed groups. There were no differences in favour of group III compared to group II. CONCLUSION: Enteral nutrition improves QOL of severely malnourished head and neck cancer patients in the period preceding surgery. No benefit of preoperative enteral feeding on QOL could be demonstrated 6 months after surgery.     

Immunoenhanced enteral nutrition, effect on inflammatory markers in head and neck cancer patients

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of enteral nutrition supplemented with arginine in inflammatory markers in surgical head and neck cancer patients. A population of 29 patients with oral and laryngeal cancer were enrolled in a randomized trial. At surgery patients were randomly allocated to two groups: (a) patients receiving an enteral diet supplements with arginine (group I, n=14); (b) patients receiving an isocaloric, isonitrogenous enteral formula (group II, n=15). The mean age was 61.1+/-10.8 y (five females/24 males). Characteristics of the patients on enrollment were similar for the two groups. Prealbumin and transferrin improved in both groups. c-reactive protein (CRP) levels decreased in both groups, (group I: 134.5+/-62.5 vs 75.3+/-51 mg/dl:P<0.05) and (group II: 103.6+/-62 vs 43.8+/-34.4 mg/dl:P<0.05). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) improved in both groups (group I: 20.35+/-11.2 vs 6.7+/-3.1 pg/ml:P<0.05) and (group II:22.8+/-40 vs 9.9+/-17.7 pg/ml:ns). Tumoral necrosis factor alpha and lymphocytes did not change. In conclusion, both formulas improved IL-6 and CRP levels. Further studies are needed to determine whether type of formula is the key in these patients or genetic background play a main role in inflammatory response.     

食管癌术后早期肠内营养的临床应用

目的:探讨食管癌术后早期肠内营养的安全性、可行性和临床疗效。方法:选择86例食管癌手术患者。随机分为肠内营养组(EN组n=55)和肠外营养组(PN组n=31),所有病例在术前及术后第1、8天分别测血清总蛋白、白蛋白、前白蛋白、转铁蛋白、淋巴细胞计数、尿素氮、肌酐、血糖、谷丙转氨酶、血红蛋白和电解质(K+、Na+)。临床观察营养支持后有无消化道症状,胃肠功能恢复情况,有无吻合口瘘及测体质量。结果:所有病例在研究期间无死亡、无明显肝肾功能改变、无吻合口瘘。营养支持后EN组白蛋白、前白蛋白、转铁蛋白等水平明显升高(P<0.01)。营养支持后EN组与PN组对比,白蛋白、前白蛋白、转铁蛋白和淋巴细胞计数明显增高(P<0.01)。临床观察生命体征及肛门恢复排气时间较PN组显著缩短时间(P<0.01)。结论:食管癌术后早期肠内营养安全可行,既能改善营养状态,维护和促进胃肠道功能,又能提高机体免疫功能,减少术后并发症的发生。     

Neighborhood deprivation and clinical outcomes among head and neck cancer patients

The unique effects of neighborhood-level economic deprivation on survival, recurrence, and second primary malignancy development were examined using adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models among 1151 incident squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck patients. Cancer site was examined as a potential moderator. Main analyses yielded null results; however, interaction analyses indicated poorer overall survival [HR=1.59 (1.00-2.53)] and greater second primary malignancy development [HR=2.99 (1.46-6.11)] among oropharyngeal cancer patients from highly deprived neighborhoods relative to less deprived neighborhoods. Results suggest a dual focus on individual and neighborhood risk factors could help improve clinical outcomes among oropharyngeal cancer patients.     

Randomized phase III trial of concurrent chemoradiotherapy vs accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) vs accelerated hyperfractionation with concomitant boost (CCB) as a primary treatment for patients with Stage III–IV squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN). A total of 85 non-metastatic advanced SCCHN patients were accrued from January 2003 to December 2007. Of these, 48 and 37 patients received CCRT and CCB, respectively. The patients were randomized to receive either three cycles of carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil plus conventional radiotherapy (CCRT, 66 Gy in 6.5 weeks) or hybrid accelerated radiotherapy (CCB, 70 Gy in 6 weeks). The primary endpoint was determined by locoregional control rate. The secondary endpoints were overall survival and toxicity. With a median follow-up of 43 months (range, 3–102), the 5-year locoregional control rate was 69.6% in the CCRT arm vs 55.0% in the CCB arm (P = 0.184). The 5-year overall survival rate was marginally significantly different (P = 0.05): 76.1% in the CCRT arm vs 63.5% in the CCB arm. Radiotherapy treatment interruptions of more than three days were 60.4% and 40.5% in the CCRT arm and CCB arm, respectively. The median total treatment time was 55.5 days in the CCRT arm and 49 days in the CCB arm. The rate of Grade 3–4 acute mucositis was significantly higher in the CCB arm (67.6% vs 41.7%, P = 0.01), but no high grade hematologic toxicities were found in the CCB arm (27.2% vs 0%). CCRT has shown a trend of improving outcome over CCB irradiation in locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer.     

Nutrition management for head and neck cancer patients improves clinical outcome and survival

Up to 80% of patients with head and neck cancers are malnourished because of their lifestyle and the risk factors associated with this disease. Unfortunately, nutrition management systems are not implemented in most head and neck cancer clinics. Even worse, many head and neck surgeons as well as hospital management authorities disregard the importance of nutrition management in head and neck cancer patients. In addition, the often extensive resection and reconstruction required for tumors in the upper aerodigestive tract pose special challenges for swallowing and sufficient food intake, placing special demands on nutrition management. This article presents the basics of perioperative metabolism and nutrition management of head and neck cancer patients and makes recommendations for clinical practice. Implementing a nutrition management system in head and neck cancer clinics will improve the clinical outcome and the survival of the patients.     

食管癌病人术后早期肠内营养的疗效观察

目的:探讨食管癌病人术后早期肠内营养的可行性、安全性和临床疗效.方法:将58例食管癌病人随机分为早期肠内营养(EEN,n=30)组和全肠外营养(TPN,n=28)组,两组均行营养支持8 d.所有病人在手术前1d、术后第9天分别测定营养指标、免疫指标、肝功能、体重等,并观察肠功能恢复情况、术后并发症、住院费用和住院时间等...     

Comparison of a high-protein disease-specific enteral formula with a high-protein enteral formula in hyperglycemic critically ill patients

AIMS: To determine whether a specific high-protein enteral formula with a similar caloric percentage of fat and carbohydrates achieves greater control over glycemic levels and reduces insulin requirements in hyperglycemic critically ill patients when compared to a control high-protein enteral formula. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind trial in two University Hospital Intensive Care Units in Spain. METHODS: We enrolled 50 patients with diabetes mellitus or stress hyperglycemia with basal glycemia > or =160 mg/dl and indication for enteral nutrition > or =5 days. Patients with severe kidney failure, liver failure or obesity were excluded from the study. In the first 48 h of admission, after randomization, 26 patients received the study diet and 24 patients received the control diet. The variables were monitored for 14 days. The Harris-Benedict formula with a fixed stress factor of 1.2 was used to calculate caloric needs. Insulin was administered by continuous infusion. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. RESULTS: On admission, there were no differences between the study and control group in plasma glucose levels (mg/dl) (190.9+/-45 vs 210.3+/-63) and capillary glucose levels (mg/dl) (226.1+/-73 vs 213.8+/-67). After the feeding trial, there were differences between the study and control group in plasma glucose levels (mg/dl) (176.8+/-44 vs 222.8+/-47, P=0.001), capillary glucose levels (mg/dl) (163.1+/-45 vs 216.4+/-56, P=0.001), insulin requirements/day (IU) 8.73 (2.3-27.5) vs 30.2 (21.5-57.1) (P=0.001), insulin/received carbohydrates (UI/g) 0.07 (0.02-0.22) vs 0.18 (0.11-0.35) (P=0.02) and insulin/received carbohydrates/kg 0.98 (0.26-3.59) vs 2.13 (1.44-4.58) (P=0.04). These differences remain in a day-to-day comparison. There were no differences in the analytical tests, or in digestive or infectious complications. Intensive Care Unit length of stay, mechanical ventilation and mortality were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemic critically ill patients fed with a high-protein diet with a similar caloric percentage of fat and carbohydrates show a significant reduction in plasma glucose levels, capillary glucose levels and insulin requirements in comparison to patients on a conventional high-protein diet. This better glycemic control do not modify Intensive Care Unit length of stay, infectious complications, mechanical ventilation and mortality.     

The facilitated early enteral and dietary management effectiveness trial in hospitalized patients with malnutrition

Background: The prevalence of malnutrition in the hospitalized setting is 30% to 55%. Previous studies reported an association of malnutrition with an increased hospital length of stay (LOS), morbidity, and mortality of patients. This study evaluated the role of early nutrition intervention on LOS, diagnosis coding of malnutrition cases, calculating case mix index, and reducing delays in implementing nutrition support to patients. Methods: Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, LOS, and serum albumin levels were collected from 400 patients in 2 medical wards to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and potential delays in nutrition consultation. Based on these results, a nutrition intervention study was conducted in 1 ward; the other ward served as a control. Patients were classified as normally nourished or malnourished. Multivariate general linear regressions were used to reveal the impact of intervention on the change in LOS, controlling for other potential confounding factors on the cohort and a subset with severe malnutrition. Results: Of the 400 patients assessed, 53% had malnutrition. Multiple general linear regressions showed that nutrition intervention reduced LOS an average of 1.93 days in the cohort group and 3.2 days in the severe malnourished group. Case mix index and female gender were positively associated with LOS in the malnourished group. Nutrition intervention reduced the delays in implementing nutrition support to patients by 47%. Conclusions: Results highlight the positive impact of nutrition intervention in terms of reduced LOS in malnourished hospital patients. Reduction in LOS with diagnosis coding of malnutrition cases yielded substantial economic benefits.     

胃癌术后早期肠内免疫营养的作用

目的:研究肠内免疫营养对胃癌手术后病人营养、免疫及炎症反应的影响. 方法:将96例胃癌病人随机分为肠内免疫营养组(研究组)和常规肠内营养组(对照组),分别于术后第2～8天给予等氮、等热量的肠内营养支持.于手术前1天、术后第1天和第9天分别检测总蛋白、清蛋白、前清蛋白、转铁蛋白、IgG、IgM、IgA、CD4、CD8、CD4/CD8、IL-1α、IL-2、IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α等项目,用药期间留24 h尿、粪测定氮,计算氮平衡. 结果:研究结束时研究组前清蛋白、IgA、CD4、CD4/CD8均显著高于对照组,IL-6、TNF-α显著低于对照组. 结论:肠内免疫营养可减轻胃癌病人手术创伤后机体炎症反应,改善免疫功能.     

食管癌病人术后早期肠内营养支持的作用

目的:探讨食管癌病人术后早期应用肠内营养支持的可行性、安全性及其临床效果.方法:将40例食管癌术后病人随机分为全肠外营养(TPN)组和早期肠内营养(EEN)组.所有病人在手术前1天、术后第1天和第8天各测定安全性指标、营养指标、免疫指标和急性炎性指标;观察术后并发症、住院时间等.结果:所有病人在研究期间无死亡,无严重并发症,无明显肝、肾功能改变;研究结束时,EEN组血清前清蛋白、外周血淋巴细胞总数、CD3、CD4、CD4/CD8比值明显高于TPN组;而IL-6明显低于TPN组;EEN组住院时间明显短于TPN组.结论:食管癌病人术后早期应用肠内营养支持,能改善病人的营养状况和免疫功能,减轻炎性反应,缩短住院时间.     

强化精氨酸肠内营养对口腔头颈部恶性肿瘤病人术后效果的临床研究

目的:探讨强化精氨酸(Arg)的肠内营养(EN)对口腔头颈部恶性肿瘤病人术后效果的影响及临床意义. 方法:选择口腔头颈部恶性肿瘤病人80例,随机分为对照组和试验组,每组各40例.术后24 h内对试验组病人进行管饲强化Arg的EN支持.对照组病人实施等氮、等热量的常规营养支持.两组病人分别于术前1d和术后第10天检测血清总蛋白(TP)、清蛋白(ALB)、前清蛋白(PA)和体重(Wt)等营养指标,同时观察术后切口的恢复情况和术后住院时间的差异. 结果:试验组病人的体重、血清TP、ALB和PA等营养指标与对照组比均有显著性差异(P＜0.05);术后切口甲级愈合较对照组高,且有显著性差异(P＜0.05);术后住院时间亦较对照组短,且有显著性差异(P＜0.05). 结论:强化Arg的EN支持能有效地改善口腔头颈部恶性肿瘤病人术后的营养状况,缩短住院天数.     

Zinc deficiency in head and neck cancer patients.

Although a great deal of attention has been given to protein and calorie malnutrition in patients with head and neck cancer, zinc status has not been assessed properly in such patients in the past.

In this study we characterized zinc status by cellular zinc criteria and assessed several measures of protein and calorie malnutrition in patients with head and neck cancer. We determined prognostic nutritional index (PNI) based on serum albumin, serum transferrin, triceps skin fold measures, and delayed hypersensitivity, as proposed by Buzby et al. In this study, the baseline zinc status and PNI of 60 head and neck cancer patients were correlated with the tumor size and overall stage of the disease.

Our results showed that the tumor size and overall stage correlated significantly to zinc status whereas no correlation was seen with PNI, alcohol intake, or smoking in our study subjects.

We conclude that zinc status is a better indicator of tumor burden and stage of the disease in head and neck cancer patients than the patients' overall nutritional status.     

重症急性胰腺炎早期肠内免疫营养支持

目的:比较观察免疫营养配方与标准配方肠内营养(EN)对重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)炎症反应和病人预后的影响.方法:所有病人均符合SAP诊断标准,APACHEⅡ评分8分以上.随机分为两组:即免疫营养组(n=16),给予免疫型EN;对照组(n=16),给予标准型EN.第1天给予4 184 kJ,第3天增至8 368 kJ,共10天.两组病人的一般情况和病情严重度相似,并给予相同的处理,在发病1周左右,通过内镜放置鼻空肠管行EN.观察全身炎症反应、营养指标的变化、比较感染等并发症发生率和病死率.结果:①两组病人均无死亡;②两组的胰周感染、成人呼吸窘迫综合征、休克、急性肾功能障碍的发生率无显著性差异;③ICU停留时间、住院时间、CT评分也无显著性差异;④治疗后两组病人的血清清蛋白、转铁蛋白、前清蛋白均有不同程度升高,但两组间无显著性差异(P＞0.05);⑤两组治疗后C反应蛋白、白细胞计数均明显下降(P＜0.05);⑥免疫营养组伴全身性炎症反应综合征时间(5.00±3.60)天,短于对照组(5.75±2.23)天,但无显著性差异(P=0.57).结论:早期EN能明显减轻SAP病人的炎症反应,改善营养状况.免疫营养配方与普通配方EN在减轻SAP病人炎症反应方面无明显差异.