Abstract
Digestive function and nutritional status were studied in 24 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with suppression of exocrine pancreatic function by Neoprene injection. The ability of enzyme replacement (pancrelipase enteric-coated microspheres) in correcting steaorrhoea was assessed in association with different dietary fat intakes (isocaloric diets of 2,400 Kcal/day). In the early postoperative period, faecal fat excretion was on average 14.2±6.6g/day in 14 patients who received a 70 g/day fat diet, while it was 26.9±13.7 g/day in 10 patients treated with a fat-load diet (100 g/day) (p <0.01). In all patients, the mean values of nutritional indices were on average at the lower limits of normal, and body weight was 89.1% of usual body weight (UBW). Patients were discharged on a low-fat diet (50 g/day). Six months after surgery, the average body weight rose to 93.8% of UBW (p <0.01) and eight patients reached their UBW. All nutritional indicators showed a significant increase. In 10 patients faecal fat excretion was controlled while continuing on low-fat diet: steatorrhoea further decreased to 8.3±3.9 g/day (p <0.01 vs 70 g diet) and 5 patients were within the normal range (<7 g/day). The coefficient of fat absorpotion was 73.1%, 79.9% and 83.4% with a 100, 70 and 50 g/day dietary fat intake, respectively (r=-.372, p <0.05). This indicates that a larger proportion of fat is absorbed when a smaller intake in given. In conclusion, a low-fat diet combined with enzyme replacement allowed the correction of steatorrhoea and the return to a good nutritional status.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology |
Pages | 137-142 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Volume | 6 |
Edition | 3 |
Publication status | Published - 1991 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gastroenterology
- Nutrition and Dietetics