Ins and outs of enteral access: part 2--long term access--esophagostomy and gastrostomy.

Access techniques for long-term enteral nutrition (over 4 to 6 weeks) includes cervical esophagostomy and pharyngostomy, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy. Cervical esophagostomy and pharyngostomy are rarely used since the advent of better long-term enteral access techniques that are easier to care for and have fewer complications; they are briefly reviewed only for historical completeness and to condemn their use. The different techniques of gastrostomy tube insertion and their indications, contraindications, advantages, and disadvantages are discussed. Part III (to be published in a later issue) of this series will review feeding jejunostomy.     

Enteric feeding in severe adolescent anorexia nervosa: a report of four cases

OBJECTIVE: Refeeding patients with anorexia nervosa can be one of the more challenging aspects of their treatment, and particularly if all food and fluids are adamantly and persistently refused. METHOD: If the decision is made to augment or replace oral feeds, the most common intervention is nasogastric feeding. RESULTS: Although this is often successful, a subset of patients manage to sabotage feeding via this route. Other means of delivering nutrition such as intravenous feeds are often impractical for long-term use. Another alternative in such life-threatening situations is the use of enteric feeds via gastrostomy or jejunostomy. This paper presents the successful use of such enteric feeding in four cases of severe adolescent anorexia nervosa. DISCUSSION: The psychological, legal, and ethical issues involved are discussed, concluding that gastrostomy and jejunostomy are valid lifesaving methods to feed highly resistant anorectic patients.     

肠外瘘病人肠内营养支持临床应用研究

目的：观察肠内营养在肠外瘘病人应用的时机、条件、途径及肠内营养制品的选择,研究肠内营养在肠外瘘病人中的作用。方法：收集１７０例肠外瘘病人诊断、住院总天数及全肠外营养（ＴＰＮ）、全肠内营养（ＴＥＮ）、肠内＋肠外营养（ＰＮ＋ＥＮ）、经口饮食的天数,计算不同营养支持方法期间,非蛋白质热量、蛋白质的供给量和并发症的发生率。收集ＴＰＮ、ＴＥＮ支持前和支持后满１５天病人的血清白蛋白浓度。另对４０例肠外瘘病人进行为期１５天的前瞻性观察,了解肠内营养对白蛋白、前白蛋白、转铁蛋白、纤维连结蛋白、总蛋白、球蛋白和肝酶谱的影响。结果：１７０例病人的总住院天数为１３５５３天,其中１６４人曾使用ＴＰＮ６０４０天（４４．６％）;１２９人使用ＴＥＮ３６７６天（２７．１％）;８３人使用肠内＋肠外营养４８９天（３．６％）;１２８人经口饮食２３３     

Percutaneous Gastrojejunostomy Placement in a Heart Failure Patient With Biventricular Assist Devices

Heart failure patients who require a ventricular assist device often present a nutrition challenge. A 39‐year‐old woman suffering from an acute ST elevated myocardial infarction and severe cardiogenic shock underwent implant of left and right ventricular assist devices (BiVAD). Neurologic deficits prevented her from safely resuming oral intake, and long‐term feeding access was required. The decision was made to insert a percutaneous gastrojejunostomy under fluoroscopic guidance. Patients implanted with ventricular assist devices may require enteral nutrition support. Placement of feeding access other than through the nasoenteric route can be rendered more challenging because of anatomical constraints related to BiVAD positioning; however, whenever enteral nutrition support is required for extended periods, percutaneous or ostomy access offers easier delivery of nutrition. Although technically difficult, successful placement of the enteral feeding tube allowed for continuous 24‐hour feeds to optimize nutrition intake. This is the first time that a percutaneous enteral feeding access was obtained for a ventricular assist device patient at the authors' institution, and it has proven valuable in providing long‐term nutrition in a safe and efficient manner.     

A randomized trial of endoscopic and fluoroscopic placement of postpyloric feeding tubes in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND: Early postpyloric feeding is considered the accepted method of nutrition support in critically ill patients. Endoscopic and fluoroscopic techniques are associated with the highest percentage of successful placement. The purpose of this study was to compare endoscopic vs fluoroscopic placement of postpyloric feeding tubes in critically ill patients. METHODS: This is a randomized prospective clinical trial. Forty-three patients were randomized to receive feeding tubes by endoscopic or fluoroscopic technique. All procedures were performed at the bedside in the critical care unit. A soft small-bore nonweighted feeding tube was used in all cases. Successful placement was confirmed by either an abdominal x-ray for endoscopic technique or a fluoroscopic radiograph for fluoroscopic technique. RESULTS: Postpyloric feeding tubes were successfully placed in 41 of 43 patients (95%). The success rate using endoscopic technique was 96% (25 of 26), whereas the rate using fluoroscopy was 94% (16 of 17). The average time of successful placement was 15.2 +/- 2.9 (mean +/- SEM) minutes for endoscopic placement and 16.2 +/- 3.2 minutes for fluoroscopic placement, which was not statistically significant (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic and fluoroscopic placement of postpyloric feeding tubes can safely and accurately be performed at the bedside in critically ill patients. Our results showed no significant difference in the success rate or time of placement between endoscopic vs fluoroscopic placement of postpyloric feeding tubes.     

Duplex Doppler ultrasound identifies veins suitable for insertion of central feeding catheters.

Central venous access for feeding catheters may prove difficult in patients who have had numerous previous central line insertions or complications. Duplex Doppler ultrasound was used to identify the anatomy and patency of major central veins in 11 patients in whom attempts at obtaining central venous access by an experienced operator had failed at least once and in 40 control subjects. Doppler ultrasound demonstrated the subclavian veins (diameter 12.5 +/- 3.5 mm, mean +/- SE) and internal jugular veins (11 +/- 3.5 mm) in all the control subjects. In the patients, 18 of 44 veins were patent, 11 were small or had low blood flow, and 15 were thrombosed. In 7 patients who required central feeding catheter insertion, a suitable vein was identified and the catheter suitably placed, even in 3 subjects where no central vein was considered normal. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography is a useful technique for identifying veins suitable for the insertion of central venous lines when access has previously proved difficult.     

Strategies in managing chronic pancreatitis-placement of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy feeding tubes.

Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) often have maldigestion and malnutrition. Nutrition support during acute and CP traditionally has been provided by parenteral nutrition. In acute pancreatitis, jejunal feeding may accelerate resolution of the inflammatory process, protect against infection, and improve outcomes at a reduced cost when compared with parenteral nutrition. Jejunal feeding may also be beneficial for patients with CP. Prolonged jejunal access may be achieved via a direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ). This article will review the rationale and evidence for jejunal feeding, indications and contraindictions for DPEJ placement, and the technique and outcomes of DPEJ in patients with CP.     

Conversion of choledochojejunostomy stents to jejunal feeding tubes for postoperative enteral alimentation

The problem of protein calorie malnutrition following major gastrointestinal surgery can be treated with central venous or enteric alimentation, with the latter being preferred. The authors describe a simple technique for the conversion of biliary stents placed after pancreaticoduodenal surgery into jejunal feeding tubes when the stenting function is no longer needed. Three illustrative cases are presented. In each case, the procedure took less than 30 min and had no associated morbidity. This technique allows early conversion from central venous to enteric alimentation without the need to create a second surgical enterostomy.     

Long-term nasogastric tube feeding in elderly stroke patients — an assessment of nutritional adequacy and attitudes to gastrostomy feeding in asians

Background

Gastrostomy feeding is superior to long-term nasogastric (NG) feeding in patients with dysphagic stroke, but this practice remains uncommon in Asia. We sought to examine the nutritional adequacy of patients on long term NG feeding and identify barriers to gastrostomy feeding in these patients.

Methodology

A prospective comparison of Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), and anthropometry (mid-arm muscle circumference, MAMC; triceps skinfold thickness, TST) between elderly stroke patients on long-term NG feeding and matched controls was performed. Selected clinicians and carers of patients were interviewed to assess their knowledge and attitudes to gastrostomy feeding.

Results

140 patients (70 NG, 70 oral) were recruited between September 2010 and February 2011. Nutritional status was poorer in the NG compared to the oral group (SGA grade C 38.6% NG vs 0% oral, p<0.001; TST males 10.7 + 3.7 mm NG vs 15.4 + 4.6 mm oral, p<0.001; MAMCmales 187.9 + 40.4 mm NG vs 228.7 + 31.8 mm oral, p<0.001). 45 (64.3%) patients on long-term NG feeding reported complications, mainly consisting of dislodgement (50.5%), aspiration of feed content (8.6%) and trauma from insertion (4.3%). Among 20 clinicians from relevant speciliaties who were interviewed, only 11 (55%) clinicians would routinely recommend a PEG. All neurologists (100%) would recommend a PEG, whilst the response was mixed among non-neurologists. Among carers, lack of information (47.1%) was the commonest reason stated for not choosing a PEG.

Conclusion

Elderly patients with stroke on long term NG feeding have a poor nutritional status. Lack of recommendation by clinicians appears to be a major barrier to PEG feeding in these patients.     

Financial Barrier against Access to Diagnostic Procedures among Enteric Fever Suspects in Highly-endemic Areas of China

There is currently no public financial system that fully covers enteric fever suspects in China. This study aimed at documenting the level of access to definitive diagnostic procedures, especially haemoculture, for these patients and examining the effect of health insurance on access to such care. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in six counties of Yunnan province, using a structured questionnaire and data extraction from medical records. In total, 714 subjects were recruited. Chi-square test and logistic regression were employed for analysis of data. The majority of the subjects were young adults (52%) and farmers (55%) from low-income families (49%). Only 407 (57%) could afford haemoculture routinely advised by their doctors. Of these, 123 (30%) had haemoculture positive for Salmonella Typhi. After adjustment for income, not getting haemoculture was marginally associated with percentage of reimbursement from the insurance (p value for trend=0.047). Illiteracy was also an independent risk factor for this outcome. The poor coverage of haemoculture for patients suspected of having enteric fever in this endemic area was due to financial barrier. The current health-insurance system inadequately relieved the problem. Further financial reform to help patients suspected with enteric fever is required.Key words: Cross-sectional studies, Diagnosis, Laboratory, Haemoculture, Health expenditure, Health insurance, Healthcare, Typhoid, China     

Audit of nasogastric feeding practice at two acute hospitals: is early enteral feeding associated with reduced mortality and hospital stay?

Hospital malnutrition is common and thought to be a cause of morbidity and mortality. Nasogastric (NG) feeding is the most commonly used invasive technique of nutritional support used at the acute Bolton hospitals. A prospective observational study was initiated to audit the use of NG feeding in patients in whom oral energy intake was virtually nil at the time of commencement of tube feeding.
Patients who were starved for 0–5 days prior to commencement of NG feeding had a lower mortality than patients starved >5 days (a) during their feeding episode and (b) during their hospital stay subsequent to cessation of oral intake. The difference in mortality was not related to age or sex. However, in patients of <65 years mortality was only non-significantly higher in patients starved >5 days compared with those starved 0–5 days. In patients of >64 years the difference in mortality between those starved 0–5 vs. >5 days remained significant: (a) during the feeding episode and (b) during the hospital stay. The fact that starvation has a disproportionate effect on mortality in old patients may indicate that older patients are more susceptible to starvation. In surviving patients there was a positive correlation between the length of starvation and: (a) the duration of the NG feeding episode and (b) hospital stay subsequent to cessation of oral intake. Disease severity was not measured therefore its effect on outcome and speed of rehabilitation cannot be excluded.
The study indicates a possible relationship between the duration of starvation and mortality, the duration of NG feeding and the length of hospital stay. Definitive testing of this association would require a prospective trial which controls for age and disease severity.     

Jejunostomy after oesophagectomy: a review of evidence and current practice

Patients undergoing oesophagectomy often have nutritional needs at the time of diagnosis and in the post-operative period. The aim of this article is to review the current literature and report on the author's experience of routine feeding jejunostomy insertion following oesophagectomy. The records of forty-eight consecutive patients undergoing oesphagectomy under the author's care were reviewed. Although the evidence of benefit of peri-operative feeding in patients undergoing oesophagectomy is limited, there is a clear need to establish a feeding route at the time of surgery. Oesophagectomy is associated with a mortality rate of 5-10% and a morbidity rate of 30-40% even in high-volume specialist centres. Over 50% of patients developing complications will require an alternative to oral feeding beyond 30 d. The enteral route is preferred in terms of safety and cost. A surgical feeding jejunostomy is associated with a low complication rate and a mortality rate of less than 1%. In forty-eight patients undergoing oesophagectomy the average weight loss at 6 months was 8·4 kg with only 8% regaining their pre-operative weight. Large reductions in weight at 6 months post-operatively were recorded irrespective of the development of post-operative complications or early recurrent disease. Routine jejunostomy insertion is recommended to ensure adequate nutrition in patients who develop post-operative complications and for those patients with long-term reduced appetite and poor oral intake.     

Efficacy of voluntary nasogastric tube feeding in female inpatients with anorexia nervosa

BACKGROUND: This investigation assesses the efficacy of a voluntary nasogastric tube feeding protocol on the weight gain of patients with anorexia nervosa, tube feeding's effect on recovery from the psychologic aspects of anorexia, patient satisfaction with treatment, and medical complications. METHODS: The study included a nonrandomized retrospective review of 381 female inpatients with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, both subtypes. A total of 155 patients received tube feeding and oral refeeding; 226 received oral refeeding alone. Recovery from the psychologic aspects of anorexia was measured by the change in Eating Disorder Inventory-2 scores between admission and discharge. Patient satisfaction with treatment was measured with a patient satisfaction questionnaire completed at discharge. Repeated measures and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: When severity-of-illness and caloric intake differences between patients with and without tube feeding were controlled, patients who received tube feeding gained significantly more weight per treatment week than those who received oral kilocalories alone. Patients who received tube feeding for at least one-half their length of stay gained 1 kg/week versus 0.77 kg/week for patients receiving oral refeeding alone. Tube-fed patients evidenced no differences in recovery from anorexia's psychologic aspects, satisfaction with treatment, or medical complication frequency. CONCLUSIONS: In residential psychiatric treatment settings in which intensive therapeutic interventions and appropriate medical monitoring can manage potential psychologic and medical risks, tube feeding's weight gain benefits may be a viable and safe option in treating anorexia.     

胰十二指肠切除术后早期经口肠内营养安全性和可行性的临床研究

目的:探讨胰十二指肠切除术后早期经口肠内营养的安全性和可行性. 方法:回顾性调查研究57例行胰十二指肠切除术的病人,随机分为早期经口肠内营养组(EOF,n=28,术后2 d内开始经口进食)和延迟进食组(DOF,n=29,术后超过5 d经口进食).比较两组病人术前和术后第1、7和14天血清清蛋白(ALB)、前清蛋白(PA...     

Emergency high-loop jejunostomy as enteral nutrition access: a simple and safe method

BACKGROUND: Emergency high-loop jejunostomies are seldom used for nutrition access in the clinical practice. METHODS: This paper describes the results of a simple and safe technique that uses emergency high-loop jejunostomy as an enteral feeding access. A feeding tube is inserted into the efferent loop of the jejunostomy and then subcutaneously tunneled. In this way, whenever it becomes necessary, the bag collecting fluids from the afferent loop can be changed without removing the tube, which remains permanently inserted into the efferent loop and secured to the skin in order to avoid displacements. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients with high-loop jejunostomy were consecutively treated with the described technique during the period 2000-2006. The mean distance between the ligament of Treitz and tube was 38.3 +/- 16.2 cm. After an induction period, all patients received full-strength enteral nutrition and were discharged after a mean of 25.1 +/- 19.5 days of treatment. All patients were subsequently readmitted to our unit, and their ostomies were successfully closed. No major early and late complications were observed; particularly, no patient experienced local or systemic septic complications. Conclusion: From the analysis of our results, the described method for delivering enteral nutrition through an emergency high-loop ostomy proves easy to apply and clinically effective. Enteral nutrition can be started as soon as possible after operation through the efferent loop of the ostomy; the management of the jejunostomy is simple and safe, with no additional discomfort for the patients.     

Obstructed feeding jejunostomy tube: a new method of salvage

The jejunostomy tube is an important means of access for enteral feeding in the surgical and medical patient. A common complication of this technique is tube occlusion. Once a mature tract has formed the tube can be removed and replaced, following by contrast radiologic documentation of its intraluminal position. With an immature tract, this option is not available. We report a safe, simple, and cost-effective method of unblocking a clogged jejunostomy using an arterial embolectomy catheter.     

Early postoperative enteral feeding by a needle catheter jejunostomy after 100 oesophageal resections and reconstructions for cancer

After oesophageal resection and reconstruction oral feeding is excluded for a long period of time. Since dysphagia is found in most patients with an oesophageal cancer and therefore weight loss very common in these patients, early postoperative feeding seems logical.In the period between August 1980 and February 1983, needle catheter jejunostomy (NCJ) was introduced in 100 consecutive patients operated upon for oesophageal cancer. Reconstruction was performed in all patients during the same operation. Feeding was started in 97 patients, in 71% within 48 h postoperatively. Postoperative mortality was 9% in this group of patients, only one patient died possibly in relation to NCJ.Mean duration of feeding by NCJ was 15.6 days (range 2–84 days). Complications seen were diarrhoea (28%), intraperitoneal leakege (2%) and ileus (2%).Total number of feeding days in this group was 1502 days. Since NCJ feeding costs US $40 less than TPN per feeding day total savings for a 12 600 Joule intake was more than US $60 000.It is concluded that NCJ feeding is an economical and safe procedure after oesophageal resection and reconstruction for cancer.     

Perioperative nutritional support of patients undergoing pancreatic surgery in the age of ERAS

ObjectiveThe results achieved through the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach in gastrointestinal surgery have led to its enthusiastic acceptance in pancreatic surgery. However, the ERAS program also involves an early oral feeding that is not always feasible after pancreatoduodenectomy. The aim of this review was to investigate in the literature whether the difficulty with early oral feeding in these patients was adequately balanced by perioperative enteral or parenteral nutritional support as recommended by the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines or whether these recommendations have lost value in the “bundle” of the ERAS.MethodsWe reanalyzed both ESPEN guidelines and literature regarding the ERAS program in surgical pancreatic patients.ResultsThere was a high prevalence of malnutrition (and consequently of postoperative complications) in patients with pancreatic cancer, and there is evidence that many of these patients should be candidates for perioperative nutritional support according to ESPEN guidelines. The start of oral fluid and solid feeding was quite variable in literature reporting the use of ERAS in pancreatic cancer surgery, with a consistent gap between the recommended and the effective start of both the feedings. The use of nasogastric/jejunal tube or of a needle-catheter jejunostomy was discouraged by the ERAS guidelines but their use could prove beneficial in patients who are recognized at high risk for postoperative complications according to the scores available in the literature.ConclusionThe current practice of the ERAS program in these patients appears to neglect some ESPEN recommendations. On the other hand, both ESPEN and ERAS recommendations could be combined for a supplemental benefit for the patient.     

Enteral access in mechanically ventilated patients.

The early institution of enteral nutrition is now accepted as the preferred route of feeding in critically ill patients with a functioning gastrointestinal tract. It is particularly important to establish early enteral nutrition in mechanically ventilated patients because of the metabolic demands associated with mechanical ventilation. The options for enteral access in mechanically ventilated patients are reviewed, with an emphasis on those techniques that may be performed at the bedside. The advantages, disadvantages, and complications of the different techniques will be considered.