Enteral Nutrition in Acute Pancreatitis
Enteral Nutrition in Acute Pancreatitis
The purpose of this prospective randomised clinical trial is to compare beneficial and
 harmful effects of the use enteral nutrition versus a nil-by-mouth and intravenous fluid
 replacement principle of treatment in patients with moderate to severe acute pancreatitis
 (AP).

 The hypothesis:

 -  enteral nutrition is no significantly better compared with the nil-by-mouth principle
 regarding mortality, incidence of local and systemic complications, length of hospital
 stay, and intensity of the inflammatory response in patients with moderate to severe AP

 -  enteral nutrition has the same safety as nil-by-mouth principle in patients with
 moderate to severe AP
Patients with first attack of AP irrespective of etiology will be enrolled in the study, if
 they are eligible according to the following criteria:

 Inclusion criteria:

 -  onset of symptoms consistent with AP within 72 hours before admission to the hospital

 -  an 3-fold elevation of serum amylase or serum lipase over the upper limit of normal

 -  APACHE II score 6 or more

 -  a signed informed consent

 Exclusion criteria:

 -  patients < 18 years of age

 -  pregnant and breastfeeding women
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  onset of symptoms consistent with AP within 72 hours before admission to the hospital

 -  an 3-fold elevation of serum amylase or serum lipase over the upper limit of normal

 -  APACHE II score 6 or more

 -  a signed informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  patients < 18 years of age

 -  pregnant and breastfeeding women