ABSTRACT
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute inflammatory disease of various severity, characterized by upper abdominal pain, elevated pancreatic enzymes, and changes in imaging features of the pancreas. According to the degree of pancreatic injury and the presence and duration of systemic organ failure, AP is classified into mild, moderate, or severe disease. Most AP patients experience mild disease and recover quickly, while up to 20% progress to moderate or severe disease, with an estimated risk of death as high as 30%. Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a clinical emergency with a critical condition and poor prognosis, especially in patients with pancreatic and/or peripancreatic tissue infection and necrosis. AP is essentially an inflammatory process that can lead to protein catabolism and increased metabolic rates, further resulting in negative nitrogen balance. The goal of nutritional support therapy for AP is to correct negative nitrogen balance, reduce inflammation, and improve prognosis. Enteral nutrition therapy is an important component of clinical treatment of SAP. This review aims to summarize the nutritional support treatment in AP based on the existing clinical data and experience.