Enteral Feeding in the Post-Injury Open Abdomen

The purpose of this study is to determine if Enteral Feeding (EN) in patients with a traumatic bowel injury requiring an open abdomen impacts outcomes. Patients who receive EN will be compared to those who remain nil-per-os (NPO). Additionally, an internal study control will be performed by analyzing concurrent injured patients requiring an open abdomen who did not have a bowel injury. Specific aims: Hypothesis 1: EN in patients with a traumatic bowel injury requiring an open abdomen improves fascial closure rate compared to patients who remain NPO. Hypothesis 2: EN in patients with a traumatic bowel injury requiring an open abdomen reduces infectious complications compared to patients who remain NPO. Hypothesis 3: EN in patients with a traumatic bowel injury requiring an open abdomen have a lower mortality rate compared to patients who remain NPO.