Early Enteral Feeding Tied to Fewer Complications - Summary - MDSpire
From the Journals

Early Enteral Feeding Tied to Fewer Complications

Benefit driven by fewer infections and pulmonary events, though overall complication rates were similar

  • By

  • Kathryn Wighton

  • May 1, 2026

  • 5 min

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A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Surgery shows that early supplemental enteral nutrition improves postoperative outcomes for patients at nutritional risk undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy. The NUTRIWHI study enrolled 142 patients, demonstrating a significant reduction in complication burden for those receiving enteral nutrition via nasojejunal tube placement compared to oral nutrition alone. While overall morbidity rates were similar, enteral nutrition minimized severe complications, particularly infectious and pulmonary ones. Despite implementation challenges, it establishes an effective approach for nutritional support in high-risk patients.

Original Source(s)

Early Enteral Feeding Tied to Fewer Complications

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • May 1, 2026

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