An evaluation of the efficacy of nasogastric suction treatment in alcoholic pancreatitis.

We evaluated the efficacy of nasogastric suction for alcohol-related pancreatitis by performing a randomized, controlled study. Twenty-one patients with pancreatitis associated with alcohol ingestion received either nasogastric suction or nothing by mouth in addition to intravenous fluids and meperidine as needed. Twenty patients completed the treatment to which they were assigned. There were no statistically significant differences between the group that received nasogastric suction and the group that did not in duration of abdominal pain, anorexia, abdominal tenderness, ileus, presence of abdominal masses, or elevated serum amylase and lipase activities and the ratio of the renal clearance of amylase to creatinine; or the number of meperidine injections requested per subject. Patients receiving nasogastric suction complained of significantly longer duration of nausea and vomiting. We conclude that nasogastric suction is not effective in the treatment of uncomplicated alcoholic pancreatitis.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes