Early Oral Refeeding in Patients with Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background/Aims: To assess the safety and efficacy of early oral refeeding (ERF) versus delayed refeeding (DRF) in patients with mild post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP). Methods: Eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the ERF or DRF group. Eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the ERF or DRF group. In the ERF group, feeding began 24 hours after the diagnosis of PEP; in the DRF group, feeding commenced once normal bowel sounds returned and pain had decreased to a visual analog scale score of <2. The diet was advanced from clear fluids to soft foods according to patient tolerance. Refeeding was temporarily halted if the visual analog scale score reached ≥5 points or if intake was refused due to pain. Resumption required normal amylase/lipase levels, pain relief, and bowel movement restoration. Discharge criteria included patient well-being >24 hours post-diet. The primary outcome was PEP hospitalization duration, and secondary outcomes were the incidence of severe acute pancreatitis, readmission rate (<30 days), and PEP-related mortality rate. Results: A total of 80 patients (40 in each ERF and DRF group) were enrolled across nine referral centers. Baseline characteristics, procedural parameters and initial PEP severity were not significantly different between the two groups. Four ERF and three DRF patients had refeeding interruptions. ERF significantly reduced PEP hospitalization duration compared to DRF (2.93±1.59 days vs 3.78±1.97 days: relative risk, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.59 to 0.97; p=0.026). Rates of severe acute pancreatitis, readmission, and mortality/morbidity related to PEP were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: ERF effectively shortens hospitalization in mild PEP patients without increasing safety risks (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04750044).