RESUMEN
Objective To investigate the clinical advantages of enteral nutrition (EN) for acute pancreatitis(AP)comparing with parenteral nutrition (PN) and its prospect. Methods Literatures using MESH Browser in Medline were collected and reviewed. Results Being of much higher cost and complications, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) ever regarded as most importantly for AP nutritional support, is now challenged by EN. Clinical evidence suggests enteral (jejunal) nutrition may diminish intestinal permeability to endotoxin and diminish bacterial translocation, thus reducing the cytokine drive to the generalized inflammatory response and preventing organ dysfunction, as well as achieving “pancreatic rest” equivalent to the TPN. Conclusion Early enteral nutrition should be used preferentially for patients with severe acute pancreatitis without paralytic ileus.