Placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes using magnetic guidance: retesting a new technique

OBJECTIVE: To study a new technique of intubating the small bowel using a newly developed nasoenteral feeding tube fitted with a magnet in its tip and guided for placement with an external magnet. METHODS: The study was performed in medical and surgical wards of a university-affiliated Department of Veterans Affairs hospital on 42 patients referred by their attending physicians for tube placement. The newly designed feeding tube was inserted per nares into the stomach using traditional technique. As the tube was advanced, movement of the hand-held steering magnet was designed to guide the tip of the magnetic nasoenteral tube along the lesser curvature of the stomach, through the pyloric sphincter, and into the duodenum. Portable abdominal radiography confirmed the anatomic location of the tube tip. RESULTS: Fifty-one intubations were performed on 42 subjects. In 45 intubations (88%), tubes passed into the duodenum. Twenty-seven (53%) met criteria for optimal placement in the second portion of the duodenum or distally. Six of 11 tubes (55%) that were not optimally placed were advanced to the distal duodenum on repositioning. Median procedure time for the initial intubations was 30 minutes (interquartile range 15-40). Median procedure time for last 10 intubations improved to 13 minutes (interquartile range 5-20). No complications were related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Enteral feeding tube placement using external magnetic guidance is a promising, novel technique which is deserving of further study.     

Do weighted nasoenteric feeding tubes facilitate duodenal intubations?

A widely held assumption is that postpyloric intubations occur more often with weighted than with unweighted nasally inserted feeding tubes. This randomized, prospective study compared the frequency of duodenal intubations using weighted and unweighted nasoenteric feeding tubes. One hundred sixteen patients had either weighted (61 patients) or unweighted (55 patients) 10F silicone elastomer feeding tubes inserted nasally 85 cm. Tubes were placed with wire stylets. Tube positions were verified radiographically within 4 hr after insertions. Radiographs were repeated daily for 3 days or until duodenal intubation occurred. Successful duodenal intubations were achieved in 35 patients (57%) with weighted feeding tubes and in 37 patients (67%) with unweighted feeding tubes. This difference was not significant. Weighted nasoenteric feeding tubes offer no advantage over unweighted tubes in achieving duodenal intubations.     

Pneumothorax following feeding tube placement: precaution and treatment

Nasojejunal feeding tubes are being used at an increased frequency, but it is not without complications that could be life-threatening. We report two cases of pneumothorax following small-bore feeding tube insertion into the pleural cavity, resulting in pneumothorax. We further discuss the potential measures that can be taken to prevent and treat this serious complication.     

Placement of Nasoenteral Feeding Tubes Using Magnetic Guidance: Retesting a New Technique

Objective: To study a new technique of intubating the small bowel using a newly developed nasoenteral feeding tube fitted with a magnet in its tip and guided for placement with an external magnet.

Methods: The study was performed in medical and surgical wards of a university-affiliated Department of Veterans Affairs hospital on 42 patients referred by their attending physicians for tube placement. The newly designed feeding tube was inserted per nares into the stomach using traditional technique. As the tube was advanced, movement of the hand-held steering magnet was designed to guide the tip of the magnetic nasoenteral tube along the lesser curvature of the stomach, through the pyloric sphincter, and into the duodenum. Portable abdominal radiography confirmed the anatomic location of the tube tip.

Results: Fifty-one intubations were performed on 42 subjects. In 45 intubations (88%), tubes passed into the duodenum. Twenty-seven (53%) met criteria for optimal placement in the second portion of the duodenum or distally. Six of 11 tubes (55%) that were not optimally placed were advanced to the distal duodenum on repositioning. Median procedure time for the initial intubations was 30 minutes (interquartile range 15–40). Median procedure time for last 10 intubations improved to 13 minutes (interquartile range 5–20). No complications were related to the procedure.

Conclusions: Enteral feeding tube placement using external magnetic guidance is a promising, novel technique which is deserving of further study.     

胃镜辅助下放置空肠营养管的方法

目的:探讨内镜下放置空肠营养管的方法.方法:给148例病人放置空肠营养管,116例病人在胃镜下用异物钳钳夹胃腔内空肠营养管,推送胃镜将其送至Treitz韧带以下.32例经鼻超细胃镜放置导丝后,再经导丝放入空肠营养管.结果:两种空肠营养管放置成功率均为100%,其中鼻肠管126例,三腔鼻肠管22例.两组均无严重并发症,1例病人置管后出现血淀粉酶升高.结论:两种空肠营养管放置的方法成功率均高,不良反应小,操作简单安全.     

Nasopulmonary intubation with feeding tubes: case reports and review of the literature

Pulmonary aspiration of regurgitated feeding material is a recognized complication of enteral nutrition by feeding tube. Nasopulmonary intubation with feeding tubes has been reported infrequently. We present two patients with such complications. In one, nasopulmonary intubation resulted in a pneumothorax. In the other unrecognized misplacement resulted in pneumonia and hydrothorax. Similar cases in the literature are discussed. Common features of this complication are: (1) patients who are obtunded, debilitated, or without gag reflex; (2) previous successful insertion of a tube; (3) successful passage past endotracheal tubes and tracheostomies; and (4) positive auscultation of insufflated air over the left upper quadrant. Complete prevention of this complication probably is not possible, but health care personnel should be aware of this potential problem in the patient at risk.     

Pneumothorax complicating enteral feeding tube placement

Two cases are presented of pneumothorax complicating enteral feeding tube insertion. A previous report describing three similar cases is noted. Neurologically impaired patients appear to be particularly at risk for this complication, which may be encouraged by use of a guidewire during tube insertion. It is suggested that enteral feeding tubes in neurologically impaired patients be inserted under fluoroscopic guidance using a tube specifically designed for this purpose.     

Nasoenteral feeding tube insertion via fiberoptic endoscope for enteral hyperalimentation.

Total parenteral nutrition can maintain good nutritional status in selected patients. However, it can be accompanied by serious complications. It is generally agreed that enteral alimentation is more economical and safer. Gut should be used for nutritional replenishment whenever feasible. However, large-bore nasogastric feeding tubes can cause problems. Even fine-bore nasogastric tubes can cause aspiration pneumonia in obtunded and debilitated patients. In some patients it is clearly desirable to have the tip of the feeding tube in the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum. Previously described methods for placement of nasoenteral tubes may be unsatisfactory. We describe a safe, simple, and reliable method for endoscopic insertion of fine-bore nasoenteral feeding tube. We have used this method on 15 patients without complication.     

Placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes using external magnetic guidance

BACKGROUND: Enteral feeding is preferred over parenteral methods, and feeding into the duodenum is preferred over gastric feeding in certain groups of critically ill patients. However, with current techniques, feeding tubes often coil in the stomach, exposing patients to the risk of aspiration. This study investigated whether a nasoenteral feeding tube can be guided beyond the pyloric sphincter, using external magnetic guidance. METHODS: This is a case series of 288 critically ill patients who needed placement of an enteral feeding tube, carried out in the intensive care units and wards of a university-affiliated community hospital. A 12-French polyurethane nasoduodenal feeding tube was modified by placing a small magnet in the distal tip. After inserting the tube through the nares into the esophagus, an external magnet was used to draw the tube tip beyond the pyloric sphincter and further into the duodenum or jejunum. Placement was verified by plain abdominal x-ray, and the depth of insertion (stomach, proximal duodenum, distal duodenum, or jejunum) was recorded. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-nine intubations were performed in 288 patients (mean procedure time 15 minutes). In 293 cases (89.1%), the tube was placed beyond the pyloric sphincter. In 139 insertions (42.2%), the tube tip was in the distal portion of the duodenum or the jejunum. There were no significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: This case series demonstrates that external magnetic guidance achieves transpyloric placement of an enteral feeding tube in 89.1% of cases. This reliable bedside technique is superior to other methods described in the literature.     

Peritonitis after gastrostomy tube replacement: a case series and review of literature

Background: The placement of feeding gastrostomy (G) tubes through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) technique has become common because of its simplicity and safety. The majority of the serious complications are reported to occur within a few days of initial tube placement and happen in fewer than 3% of cases. Long‐term reported complications of this procedure include occlusion or breakage of the G‐tube, requiring reinsertion. This report describes the complication of intraperitoneal placement and the development of peritonitis after replacement of an established PEG tube and reviews the pertinent world literature. Methods: A retrospective review of cases of intraperitoneal insertion of replacement G‐tubes was done as well as a Medline search for cases of intraperitoneal insertion of replacement G‐tube or development of peritonitis after replacement tube insertion. Results: Three new cases of inadvertent intraperitoneal insertion of a replacement G‐tube in adult patients with mature tracts are reported. An additional 5 cases have been previously described in adults. Significant morbidity was associated with this complication, and 4 deaths were related to it. Methods used to determine whether the replacement G‐tube was intragastric were not uniform. Conclusions: There have been few reports of intraperitoneal insertion of replacement G‐tubes in patients with mature (>30 days) stoma sites. The cases presented in this report highlight for the clinician the importance of considering this complication, particularly if there are any difficulties with the reinsertion. Prospective studies are needed to determine the frequency of this complication and the optimal protocol for PEG replacement.     

A prospective study of tube- and feeding-related complications in patients receiving long-term home enteral nutrition

OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes are frequently inserted to facilitate long-term enteral nutrition. There are few studies that address long-term complications related to feeding tubes. The purpose of this study is to examine the long-term complications related to tube malfunction and the effect these have on health care use. METHODS: In this prospective study, 8 patients who were discharged home on long-term home enteral nutrition completed a diary that listed 17 potential complications related to enteral feeding devices. Subjects completed the diary on a weekly basis, noting which of the potential complications they were experiencing and the intervention related to that complication. RESULTS: The 8 patients were followed for a mean of 10.5 months. Common tube-site complications included discharge from the tube site, red or tender stoma, and granulation tissue. Mechanical problems related to tubes plugging, breaking, and falling out were also common. Despite having a dedicated nurse and dietitian to follow these patients, unscheduled health care contacts were frequent and averaged 5.4 contacts over the mean follow-up time of 10.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: In patients receiving long-term home enteral nutrition, tube and tube-feeding complications are frequent and result in significant health care use. Given the increasing use of long-term enteral nutrition, strategies and programs must be developed to assist patients and their families in managing these complications.     

Inadvertent dislodgement of nasoenteral feeding tubes: incidence and prevention

The introduction of soft, small-bore nasoenteral feeding tubes has improved our ability to provide nutritional support to patients in a more comfortable, safe, and cost-effective manner. A retrospective study reveals, however, that 40% of patients receiving nasoenteral tube feeding experienced inadvertent dislodgement of their feeding tubes. All of the patients with dislodged feeding tubes were confused, disoriented, or obtunded periodically. Various means for preventing this problem are discussed. In view of both the considerable time and effort required to place nasoenteral feeding tubes properly and the potential complications due to inadvertent tubes dislodgement, it is recommended that nasoenteral feeding tubes be secured more effectively, particularly in confused or obtunded patients.     

Improved design of nasogastric feeding tubes

Disappointed with the overall performance of weighted and unweighted nasogastric feeding tubes, a design programme was initiated which resulted in the development of two new nasogastric tubes, one weighted and one unweighted. The tubes were manufactured with polyurethane rather than polyvinylchloride (PVC) which permitted an increase in diameter of the internal lumen which in turn was coated with water activated lubricant to ease removal of the introducer wire. A specially modelled outflow port was incorporated into the tips of both tubes. The performance of the two new polyurethane nasogastric feeding tubes was assessed under controlled trial condition using as a reference a widely used PVC unweighted open ended tube. While intubation times were similar in patients without concurrent endotracheal intubation, it took a significantly shorter time to intubate patients with concurrent endotracheal intubation with the new weighted tube. Following tube intubation, it was possible to aspirate gastric contents significantly more often through the new polyurethane tubes (p < 0.001) than through the PVC tube, and the unweighted polyurethane tube stayed in situ longer (p < 0.05) than the PVC tube. The newly designed polyurethane nasogastric feeding tubes are the first tubes that have been shown to have advantages over the simpler type of open ended, unweighted PVC nasogastric feeding tubes.     

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in the neurosurgical intensive care unit: complications and outcome

BACKGROUND: Even with a functioning gastrointestinal tract, it is not always easy to initiate oral feeding in some neurosurgical patients because of their persistently depressed neurologic status or severe lower cranial nerve palsies. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) may be required for long-term feeding in these patients. The purpose of the present study is to report our experience with PEG chosen for establishing an enteral route in patients of neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: The outcome and complications of PEG in neurosurgical ICU patients of Marmara University Institute of Neurological Science between January 2001 and November 2006 were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients, with the median age of 51 years (range, 14-78 years) underwent PEG placement. PEG was placed before the craniotomy in 2 patients and after in 29. Indications for PEG were absent gag reflex in 10 patients and low Glasgow Coma Scale score in 21. Before the PEG tube insertion, 18 patients had enteral nutrition by a nasogastric tube and 10 had parenteral nutrition (PN), with a median duration of 14.5 (range, 4-60) and 12 (range, 7-25) days, respectively. Two patients accidentally pulled out the gastrostomy tubes 10 and 11 days after insertion. Buried bumper syndrome developed in 1 patient. Two patients died 8 and 34 days after the procedure in the neurosurgical ICU. Twenty-nine patients were discharged from the hospital while being fed via the PEG tubes. In 11 patients who were able to resume oral feeding, the tube was removed, with a median interval of 62 (range, 25-150) days. Procedure-related mortality, 30-day mortality, and overall mortality of the patients were 0%, 6.4%, and 45%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PEG is a safe and well-tolerated gastrostomy method for neurosurgical ICU patients with depressed neurologic state or severe lower cranial nerve palsies.     

Social Ecological Perspectives of Tube-Feeding Older Adults with Advanced Dementia: A Systematic Literature Review

Dementia is a progressive, debilitating disease that often results in weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration. Feeding tubes are often prescribed; however, this practice can lead to complications. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the use of feeding tubes in elderly demented patients from a social ecological perspective. Results indicated that family members often receive inadequate decision-making education. Many health care professionals lack knowledge of evidence-based guidelines pertaining to feeding tube use. Organizational and financial reimbursement structures influence feeding tube use. Feeding practices for patients with advanced dementia is a complex issue, warranting approaches that target each level of the Social Ecological Model.     

A technique for positioning nasoenteral feeding tubes

The use of nasoenteral alimentation in many neurologically depressed patients is a common practice. These patients are also at increased risk of sustaining feeding tube malplacement. The morbidity and mortality involving feeding tube malposition in these debilitated patients is high. In this paper, we present four case reports of morbidity, with one resultant mortality, associated with small-bore nasoenteral tube malposition. We are also suggesting a nasoenteral intubation protocol which we feel will decrease the incidence of feeding tube malplacement.     

Inexpensive, safe and simple nasoenteral intubation--an alternative for the cost conscious

The efficacy and safety of nasoenteral feedings via small bore, flexible tubes have been extensively studied and reported. Most of the tubes currently used have similar characteristics including a high price ($7.00-$17.30 per tube). Our study using inexpensive ($0.55 each), polyvinyl pediatric feeding tubes and reusable guide wires in 21 patients shows that a weighted tip is not necessary for the passage of tubes into the duodenum (19/27 tubes passed) and that with proper nursing care and patient cooperation, the tubes can remain in place and patent for periods up to 71 days. The cost savings using the ubiquitous pediatric feeding tube and a reusable guide wire are significant (between $6.25 and $16.55 per tube used) and make this a more cost conscious alternative.     

Percutaneous needle pharyngostomy

Pharyngostomy is a technique of proven usefulness in patients requiring extra oral enteric access. Techniques to perform this have required an operating room, general anesthesia, and the associated risks. We have developed a technique for needle pharyngostomy that can be performed at the bedside of an awake patient. We utilize a central venous catheter tray and a small bore feeding tube to do this procedure. We have performed this on 17 patients without a procedural complication. This form of enteric access has allowed total nutritional support for up to 2 yr. Two late infections at the pharyngostomy site have occurred; both were easily controlled with oral antibiotics. This technique is recommended for patients who repeatedly pull out feeding tubes or are planning home enteral nutrition.     

Clearing obstructed feeding tubes

This is a report of an in vitro study evaluating the ability of six solutions to dissolve clotted enteral feeding, which can cause feeding tube occlusion. The following clotted enteral feeding products were tested: Ensure Plus, Ensure Plus with added protein (Promod 20 g/liter), Osmolite, Enrich, and Pulmocare. Clot dissolution was then tested by adding Adolf's Meat Tenderizer, Viokase, Sprite, Pepsi, Coke, or Mountain Dew. Distilled water served as control. Dissolution score for each mixture was assessed blindly. Best dissolution was observed with Viokase in pH 7.9 solution (p less than 0.01). Similar results were obtained when feeding tube patency was restored in eight in vitro occluded feeding tubes (Dobbhoff, French size 8) by using first Pepsi (two/eight successful) and then Viokase in pH 7.9 (six/six successful). We also report our experience in the first 10 patients with occluded feeding tubes using this Viokase solution injected through a Drum catheter into the feeding tube. In seven patients, this method proved to be successful, and the reasons for failure in three patients include a knotted tube, impacted tablet powder, and a formula clot fo 24 hr duration and 45 cm in length.     

Bedside enteral feeding tube placement into duodenum and jejunum

A bedside method for placement of nasoenteric feeding tubes is described utilizing gravity and corkscrewing of the feeding tube to pass the pylorus and then air injection to verify position of the tube from the location and character of transmitted sounds to the stethoscope. Twenty-eight of 31 consecutive patients requiring enteral feeding had tubes successfully placed past the pylorus using this method, 25 on the first attempt and three on the second. This method is an effective and inexpensive alternative to endoscopic or fluoroscopic feeding tube placement.