Tube dysfunction following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and jejunostomy

Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with jejunal extension (PEG-J) technical success and outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims  Endoscopic methods of delivering uninterrupted feeding to the jejunum include direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) or PEG with jejunal extension (PEG-J), validated from small individual studies. We aim to perform a meta-analysis to assess their effectiveness and safety in a variety of clinical scenarios. Methods  Major databases were searched until June 2021. Efficacy outcomes included technical and clinical success, while safety outcomes included adverse events (AEs) and malfunction rates. We assessed heterogeneity using I ² and classic fail-safe to assess bias. Results  29 studies included 1874 patients (983 males and 809 females); mean age of 60 ± 19 years. Pooled technical and clinical success rates with DPEJ were 86.6 % (CI, 82.1-90.1, I ² 73.1) and 96.9 % (CI, 95.0-98.0, I ² 12.7). The pooled incidence of malfunction, major and minor AEs with DPEJ were 11 %, 5 %, and 15 %. Pooled technical and clinical success for PEG-J were 94.4 % (CI, 85.5-97.9, I ² 33) and 98.7 % (CI, 95.5-99.6, I ²  < 0.001). The pooled incidence of malfunction, major and minor AEs with DPEJ were 24 %, 1 %, and 25 %. Device-assisted DPEJ performed better in altered gastrointestinal anatomy. First and second attempts were 87.6 % and 90.2 %. Conclusions  DPEJ and PEG-J are safe and effective procedures placed with high fidelity with comparable outcomes. DPEJ was associated with fewer tube malfunction and failure rates; however, it is technically more complex and not standardized, while PEG-J had higher placement rates. The use of balloon enteroscopy was found to enhance DPEJ performance.

Jejunostomy with Enteroenterostomy for Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Trauma Patients. A Novel Technique

Purpose The aim of the current study was to report the surgical outcome and complications of jejunostomy with enteroenterostomy for enteral nutrition (EN) in critically ill trauma patients with prolonged nasogastric (NG) nutrition. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out in a level I trauma center in Shiraz, southern Iran during a one-year period from 2016 to 2017. We included a total number of 30 patients with severe trauma admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with more than three months NG nutrition and bowel atrophy. We performed a novel jejunostomy with an enteroenterostomy procedure for providing a route for enteral nutrition in all 30 patients. The rate of complications, such as dislodgement, clogging, obstruction, leakage, mucosal bleeding, and infection, were recorded and reported. We also recorded the hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS). Results We included a total number of 30 patients with a mean age of 35.64 ± 8.91 years, and there were 23 (76.6%) men and seven (23.4%) women among the patients. Overall, 14 (46.6%) patients experienced complications related to the jejunostomy with enteroenterostomy. The most common complication was nausea and vomiting (33.3%) and distention (33.3%), followed by surgical site infection (30.0%). The mean ICU LOS and hospital LOS was found to be 16.8 ± 3.7 and 24.3 ± 4.1 days, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 17 (56.6%), which was secondary to the primary injury and was not related to the procedure. Conclusion Jejunostomy with enteroenterostomy is a safe and feasible method for providing a route for EN in critically ill trauma patients with prolonged NG nutrition and bowel atrophy.

Role of Enteral Nutrition in Advanced Cancer Patients: Indications and Contraindications of the Different Techniques Employed

Over the last 20 years there has been great progress regarding total parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition for patients who cannot take food by mouth or cannot swallow, or so that controlled feeding can be established in anorexic and malnourished patients. The use and the role of artificial nutrition is still controversial in advanced cancer patients. Such controversies often are due to the fact that these patients have a survival expectancy that varies from one to several months. The present review describes the most frequent techniques used for enteral nutrition (nasoenteral tubes, gastrostomy and jejunostomy), their indications, contraindications and complications, and gives an indication regarding which patients may really benefit from enteral nutrition taking into consideration not only the potential advantages but also the discomfort and distress related to enteral nutrition and the different techniques that are employed.

Direct Percutaneous Endoscopic Jejunostomy (DPEJ) Tube Placement: A Single Institution Experience and Outcomes to 30 Days and Beyond

INTRODUCTION

Patients with prior foregut surgery requiring long-term enteral access typically undergo operative jejunostomy tube placement; however, direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) is a viable alternative.

METHODS

All de novo DPEJ procedures performed by surgical and advanced endoscopists from May 2003 to June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed following approval by the Institutional Review Board. There were 59 cases identified.

RESULTS

Our cohort had a mean age of 50.3 ± 16.9 years and 35 (59.3%) were female. All but two patients previously had foregut surgery including 19 patients (34.5%) with prior bariatric surgery. The composite of malnutrition and dehydration was the indication for DPEJ in 29 patients (49.1%) and was the initial enteral access placed in 47 patients (79.7%). Moderate sedation was used in 32 cases (54.2%), and 29 procedures (49.2%) were performed in the operating room. Within 30 days, there were six complications in five patients, giving a peri-procedural complication rate of 12.5%. Beyond 30 days, the most common complications were peri-tube leakage and dislodgement (each 16.9%). The median time to complication was 197 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with surgically altered foregut anatomy, DPEJ offers a less invasive alternative to operative jejunostomy tube placement. DPEJ can be placed in the endoscopy suite or operating room with an acceptable risk of perioperative complications.

A new modified technique of laparoscopic needle catheter jejunostomy: a 2-year follow-up study

Background

The aim of this study was to establish a modified technique for performing laparoscopic needle catheter jejunostomy.

Methods

From May 2011 to October 2013, laparoscopic needle catheter jejunostomy was performed in 21 patients with esophageal cancer. During the procedure, jejunal inflation was performed via a percutaneous 20-gauge intravenous catheter to facilitate the subsequent puncture of the jejunal wall by the catheter needle. The success rate, procedure time, complications, and short-term outcomes were evaluated.

Results

All laparoscopic needle catheter jejunostomies were technically successful, with no perioperative mortality or conversion to a laparotomy. The operation required a mean time of 51.4±14.2 (range 27–80) minutes, and operative bleeding range was 5–20 mL. There was one reoperation required for one patient on postoperative day 5, because the feeding tube was accidentally pulled out during sleep, by patient himself, and the second laparoscopic jejunostomy for this patient was performed successfully. One patient had puncture site pain and was successfully treated with oral analgesics. Other complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal perforation, intestinal obstruction, tube dysfunction, pericatheter leakage, and infection at the skin insertion site, were not observed. The 30-day mortality rate was 4.8% (one out of 21), which was not attributed to the procedure. Enteral nutrition was gradually administered 24–48 hours after operation.

Conclusion

The novel modified technique of laparoscopic needle catheter jejunostomy is a technically feasible, with a high technical success rate and low complication rate. Its specific advantage is simplicity and safety, and this modified approach can be considered for routine clinical use after long-term outcome evaluation.

Clinical management of post-pyloric enteral feeding in children

Post-pyloric feeding (PF) allows the administration of enteral nutrition beyond the pylorus, either into the duodenum or, ideally, into the jejunum. The main indications of PF are: upper gastrointestinal tract obstructions, pancreatic rest (e.g., acute pancreatitis), gastric dysmotility (e.g., critically ill patients and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction) or severe gastroesophageal reflux with risk of aspiration (e.g., neurological disability). Physiological and clinical evidence derives from adults, but can also be pertinent to children. This review will discuss the practical management and potential clinical applications of PF in pediatric patients. Some key studies pertaining to the physiological changes during PF will also be considered because they support the strategy of PF management.

Alternative method for jejunostomy in Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy

Background

To supplement nutrition, jejunostomy has been widely adopted as an adjunct surgical procedure for Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. Most Chinese surgeons have a preference for parenteral nutrition even though it has some disadvantages compared with jejunostomy. In this report, we describe a new approach that allows the quick insertion of a feeding tube in Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. We retrospectively analyze cases that have applied this approach and compare the advantages and disadvantages of jejunostomy.

Methods

Between January 2010 and December 2012, 131 patients underwent Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy in our hospital. These patients were divided into three groups: the total parenteral nutrition (PN) group, the jejunostomy (JT) group and the feeding tube (FT) group. The effect and safety of the procedure were compared.

Results

It took approximately 20 minutes longer to perform jejunostomy compared to placing a feeding tube (P < 0.05). The nutrition cost of the JT group was higher than the FT group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the FT and JT groups (P > 0.05) in the ratio of body weight loss seven days post-surgery. The anal exsufflation time of the FT group was similar to the JT group (P > 0.05). The incidence of intestinal adhesion and obstruction in the JT group was 26.3%, which is much higher than in the FT and PN groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Placing the feeding tube after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy can decrease operative damage and bring sufficient nutrition. We believe it can be an alternative to jejunostomy in Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy.

Randomized Study of Radiologic vs Endoscopic Placement of Gastrojejunostomies in Patients at Risk of Aspiration Pneumonia

Objective: In patients at risk of aspiration pneumonia due to gastroesophageal reflux who require gastrojejunostomy feeding tubes, the tubes are placed either radiologically (RIGJ) or endoscopically (PEGJ). There is little published evidence of the superiority of one technique over the other. Methods: Patients referred for long-term jejunal feeding were randomly allocated to have a 14F RIGJ or 15F with 9F jejunal extension PEGJ inserted. A technetium-99m (^99mTc) colloid study was done to determine the presence of gastroesophageal reflux and jejunogastric reflux after feeding tube placement. We recorded enteral feed and tube-related complications, in addition to tube-related morbidity and mortality to 90 days following placement. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, with gastroesophageal reflux demonstrated in 52%. Following enteral tube placement, gastroesophageal reflux was not observed by ^99mTc studies or any difference in clinical outcome to 90 days after placement. No jejunal tubes were displaced in any of the 31 RIGJ tubes, while 9 tubes were displaced in the 34 PEGJ patients (P = .008). Reversible jejunal tube blockages occurred: 19 RIGJ (5 patients) and 61 PEGJ (11 patients) (P = .003, χ² = 9.1). Conclusion: There was little difference between the 2 tubes for clinical outcomes. RIGJ tubes were less prone than PEGJ tubes to reversible blockage and displacement. It is likely that the better outcome for RIGJ tubes relates to their larger tube diameter and stiffness.

Novel cost-effective method of laparoscopic feeding-jejunostomy

A feeding jejunostomy tube placement is required for entral feeding in a variety of clinical scenarios. It offers an advantage over gastrostomies by eliminating the risk of aspiration. Standard described laparoscopic methods require special instrumentation and expensive custom-made tubes. We describe a simple cost-effective method of feeding jejunostomy using regular laparoscopic instruments and an inexpensive readily available tube. The average operating time was 35 min. We had no intra-operative complications and only one post-operative complication in the form of extra-peritoneal leakage of feeds due to a damaged tube. No complications were encountered while pulling out the tubes after an average period of 5–6 weeks.

Enteral access by double-balloon enteroscopy: an alternative method of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy placement

BACKGROUND

Although direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunal feeding tube placement is an increasingly accepted method of providing small-bowel access for long-term enteral nutrition, it is reliant on push enteroscopy and remains a technically challenging procedure with significant failure rates. Double-balloon enteroscopy, with its ability to provide controlled small-bowel intubation may facilitate direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunal tube placement.

AIMS AND METHODS

We report a prospective series of ten consecutive cases of double-balloon enteroscopy-assisted direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunal placement, accompanied by a step-by-step illustrated overview of the technique.

RESULTS

Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunal tube placement by double-balloon enteroscopy was successful in nine of the ten attempted cases. In the first case, direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunal placement was abandoned due to inadequate transillumination; there were no procedure-related complications in any of our patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This first reported prospective case series of double-balloon enteroscopy-assisted direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunal placement shows a promisingly high success rate; larger comparative studies are required to clearly establish any advantages over the originally described push enteroscopy method.

Endoscopic identification of the jejunum facilitates minimally invasive jejunostomy tube insertion in selected cases

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy, and laparoscopic feeding tube insertion are established techniques for placing a feeding tube. However, these techniques may be difficult or contraindicated after previous gastric or upper abdominal surgery.

METHODS

A total of 10 patients underwent minimally invasive jejunostomy tube insertion via endoscopic identification of the jejunum. The indications for the procedure were dysphagia, poor nutritional status, prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and gastroparesis. Eight of the patients had undergone previous upper abdominal surgeries and were rejected for either PEG or direct percutaneous jejunostomy. With the patients under general anesthesia, esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed. The jejunum was identified and intubated. A small abdominal incision (1 in.) was made. The proximal jejunum was identified easily by the light and digital palpation of the endoscope. The jejunum was delivered in the wound, and the jejunostomy tube was inserted using Witzel's technique. The wound was closed.

RESULTS

All the patients tolerated the procedure well. The mean time for the procedure was 29 +/- 13 min. There was no mortality related to the procedure and no complications. Jejunal feeding started on the first postoperative day.

CONCLUSION

The use of intraoperative endoscopy facilitated identification of the jejunum. Easy, safe, and quick, the procedure saved the patient a formal laparotomy and extensive manipulation.

Post-pyloric feeding

Postpyloric feeding is an important and promising alternative to parenteral nutrition. The indications for this kind of feeding are increasing and include a variety of clinical conditions, such as gastroparesis, acute pancreatitis, gastric outlet stenosis, hyperemesis (including gravida), recurrent aspiration, tracheoesophageal fistula and stenosis in gastroenterostomy. This review discusses the differences between pre- and postpyloric feeding, indications and contraindications, advantages and disadvantages, and provides an overview of the techniques of placement of various postpyloric devices.

DPEJ tube placement prevents aspiration pneumonia in high-risk patients

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) or PEG tube with transgastric jejunostomy tube (PEG-J) feeding has not been shown to decrease aspiration pneumonia. The aim of this study was to determine if direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) tube placement results in a decreased incidence of aspiration pneumonia in high-risk patients. The design was a retrospective review of all patients receiving DPEJ tube for aspiration pneumonia from 1999 to 2005. Demographics, incidence of aspiration pneumonia, and outcomes were collected and compared before and after the DPEJ placement. Eleven patients (4 women, 7 men) were identified; their mean age was 44.9 years (range, 18-94 years). The etiologies for recurrent aspiration pneumonia were neurologic disease (9), esophageal surgery (1), and severe debilitation (1). The mean follow-up was 20.9 months (range, 6-48 months). The patients' mean weight increased from 43.8 kg (range, 19-55 kg) to 48.3 kg (range, 30-65 kg) after placement (P < .001). The total number of documented aspiration pneumonia episodes for all patients decreased from 29 (mean, 3.64; range, 1-6) before DPEJ placement to 3 (mean, 0.27; range, 0-2) after DPEJ placement (P < .001). The mean number of aspiration pneumonia events per month prior to the DPEJ placement was 3.39 and postplacement was 0.42 (P < .001). DPEJ placement appears to decrease recurrent aspiration pneumonia in patients with history of aspiration pneumonia.

Colojejunal Fistula Resulting from a D-PEJ Feeding Tube

Numerous procedures have been developed to provide adequate enteral nutrition to patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Previously, operative placement of a feeding gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube was the accepted means of gaining chronic enteral access. However, improved technology and experience with endoscopic techniques have quickly replaced primary operative placement of enteral access. Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (D-PEJ) is a procedure that was designed to deliver enteral feeding solutions for patients with proximal disease after unsatisfactory results from percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes with jejunal extensions (PEG-J). As with any procedure, it is associated with complications. We present the first reported case of a colojejunal fistula resulting from a D-PEJ placement. While D-PEJ has been shown to be relatively safe, complications related to the inherent limitations of the procedure need to be considered when the patient experiences unusual post-procedure symptoms and worked up appropriately.

[A 94-year-old woman with nontuberculous mycobacterium who developed small intestinal intussusception associated with a percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube]

We report a 94-year-old woman, who underwent percutaneous endoscopic Jejunostomy (PEJ) tube feeding for enteral nutrition, developed the intussusception of the small intestine. She suffered from nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM), and her lung inflammation deteriorated due to aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition. Because of old age, dysphagia, esophageal hiatus hernia, gastro-esophageal reflux and her bedridden condition due to severe osteoporosis, oral nutritional supplementation is nearly impossible. To reduce the aspiration risk, we chose PEJ instead of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) as the route of tube feeding. Six months after the placement of a PEJ tube, aspiration pneumonia was diagnosed and she was readmitted to our hospital. During hospitalization, she had sudden diarrhea, vomiting, and lower abdominal pain. Abdominal CT scan and radiographs using contrast medium showed small intestinal intussusception related to the PEJ tube. We observed the clinical course without performing surgery, pulling it back towards the stomach and placing an ileus tube, because the small intestine was not completely obstructed. Two months later, although she suffered from aspiration pneumonia once more, she remained in a stable condition without further intervention so that she could move to aother hospital. Recently PEJ has been expected to prevent aspiration pneumonia, but we believe that it can be a risk factor for intussusception. Although the PEJ can be a good parenteral nutrition route for frail elderly with dysphagia, we need to consider possible complications including intussusception.

Laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy in esophagogastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with esophagogastric malignancies often require nutritional supplementation in the perioperative period, especially in the setting where neoadjuvant therapy may delay tumor resection. A simple technique is described here that can be performed at the time of staging laparoscopy and that has not been described before.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients treated over a 4-year period who had a laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy placed at the time of staging laparoscopy were reviewed. Of these, 35 had preoperative chemotherapy according to a modified MRC OEO2 protocol. In the period between staging and eventual resection, 32% required immediate feeding, and in 14% of those who were thought not to need feeding it later became necessary. More patients gained weight or had a rise in albumin in the group that had jejunal feeding (p < 0.05). The mean time to surgery was 10 weeks. There were no conversions to an open procedure, nor were there any laparotomies for tube-related complications. Dislodgement was recorded in 6 patients; blockage, in 4. In most of these cases a simple bedside replacement of the tube was all that was required. Mean time in the operating room for each procedure was 44 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic percutaneous feeding jejunostomy is a safe and simple technique that adds little to the morbidity and cost of managing patients with esophagogastric cancers. It facilitates optimization of nutrition in the perioperative period for these patients, especially in those receiving preoperative chemotherapy.

Enteral access in home care

Enteral nutrition is the delivery of nutrients through the gastrointestinal tract. For those patients who cannot or will not swallow, an enteral access device (EAD) is required. Some of these devices can be passed through the oral or nasal cavity into the stomach or small bowel. Alternatively, the devices can be percutaneously placed by an endoscopist or a radiologist into the stomach or small bowel. Knowledge of the appropriate use of these devices, the appropriate maintenance management of these devices, and the appropriate treatment of EAD-related complications is essential for the clinician to understand in order to provide effective nutrition therapy.

The role of endoscopically placed feeding or decompression tubes

The minimally invasive nature of endoscopically placed gastrostomy tubes makes them a viable consideration in palliative care. Complications related to the procedure appear to correlate with age and underlying comorbidities.However, in many instances, the scientific basis for establishing benefit or harm from tube placement is methodologically inadequate. Decisions must be preceded by a discussion of the value and potential risk of artificial nutrition in a particular setting, respecting the wishes and beliefs of each patient and his or her family. The decision to use PEG placement for any reason should be consistent with legal and ethical principles, reflect patient autonomy over any other consideration (including beneficence), and arise from a clear determination of the goals of care (and whether the PEG placement will truly help meet those goals). Whenever possible, further studies with better design are needed to evaluate whether the use of PEG truly affects quality of life and patient outcome in palliative care. PEG tubes for decompression are placed successfully most of the time. Symptom relief occurs usually within 7 days of the procedure. Overall, the morbidity related to the PEG procedure for decompression is only slightly higher than when the same technique is used for nutritional purposes. The appropriate timing for PEG tube placement for nutritional support and for decompression throughout the course of disease progression may be difficult to determine and yet may be a factor in its overall efficiency. Only minor modifications of the basic technique used for PEG placement for nutritional purposes are required to adapt the technique to a variety of other applications in palliative care.

Endoscopic approaches to enteral nutritional support

Enteral is preferred to parenteral nutritional support for acute and chronic diseases because it is more physiological and associated with fewer infection complications. Nasal tube feedings are generally used for 30 days or less and percutaneous access for the longer-term. Feeding by naso-gastric tubes is appropriate for most critically ill patients. However, trans-pyloric feeding is indicated for those with regurgitation and aspiration of gastric feeds. Deep naso-jejunal tube feeding is appropriate for patients with severe acute pancreatitis. There are several methods for endoscopic placement of naso-enteric tubes. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is used for most persons requiring long-term support. Long-term jejunal feeding is most often used for persons with chronic aspiration of gastric feeds, chronic pancreatitis intolerant to eating, or persons in need of concomitant gastric decompression. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with a jejunal tube extension is fraught with tube dysfunction and dislocation. Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tubes may be more robust, but are less commonly performed.

Medical and ethical aspects of long-term enteral tube feeding

Clinicians frequently care for patients in whom long-term enteral tube feeding is being considered. The substantial increase in the use of endoscopically placed tubes for long-term feeding reflects the aging population, advances in medicine and technology, and inadequate advance care planning. Physicians should address advance care planning with all patients at the earliest opportunity. Prospective randomized trials measuring clinical outcomes for patients receiving long-term tube feeding are understandably limited. In addition, confusion regarding medical and ethical guidelines for long-term tube feeding often exists among clinicians, patients, and surrogate decision makers. Therefore, we discuss the physiology and clinical tolerance of limited oral nutritional intake, the prevalence of and Indications for long-term tube feeding, the endoscopic procedures and their complications, the reported medical and quality-of-life outcomes, and the critical importance of advance care planning. We present our multidisciplinary approach that combines medical, nutritional, and ethical principles for the care of these patients.

Enteral nutrition via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and nutritional status of patients: five-year prospective study

BACKGROUND

Since it was described in 1980, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has been a widely used method for insertion of a gastrostomy tube in patients who are unable to swallow or maintain adequate nutrition. The aim of the present paper was to determine the complications of PEG insertion and to study pre- and post-procedural nutritional status.

METHODS

During the period of March 1999-September 2004, placement of PEG tube was performed in 85 patients (22 women and 63 men). Patient nutritional status was assessed before and after PEG insertion via anthropometric measurements.

RESULTS

The most frequent indication for PEG insertion was neurological disorders (65.9%). Thirty patients died due to primary disease and two patients due to PEG-related complications within 5 years. There were 14 early complications in 10 patients (15.2%; <30 days), and 18 late complications in 12 patients (19.6%). Total mortality was 37.6%. All complications other than four were minor. Before PEG insertion, patients were assessed with subjective global assessment and it was determined that 43.2% of them had severe, and 41.9% of them had mild malnutrition. After PEG insertion, significant improvements on patient nutrition levels was observed.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a minimally invasive gastrostomy method with low morbidity and mortality rates, is easy to follow up and easy to replace when clogged.

Does the presence of esophagitis prior to PEG placement increase the risk for aspiration pneumonia?

The aim of this study is to determine if the endoscopic presence of esophagitis predicts aspiration pneumonia after the initiation of enteral feedings in a newly placed PEG tube. A retrospective analysis of 278 patients who received a PEG tube from November 1999 to June 2002 was performed. All PEG procedures performed by a single endoscopist were reviewed from the GI Trac database at the Medical University of South Carolina. Eleven of the procedures were aborted due to technical difficulties. Nine patients received the PEG for gastric decompression only. Seven patients died within 14 days of PEG placement from non-PEG-related complications and were excluded. The resulting 251 patients included for our analysis successfully had PEG tube placement and had at least 14 days of enteral feeding. Esophagitis was defined macroscopically by the endoscopic presence of mucosal edema, friability, or obscurity of the normal vascular pattern in the distal esophagus. Aspiration was defined as the witnessed regurgitation of or tracheal suctioning of PEG feedings. Pneumonia as a consequence of aspiration was defined by development of fever and new infiltrate on chest radiograph within 14 days of PEG placement. Two hundred fifty-one patients had PEG placement (M, 127; F, 124; average age, 62.4 year; age range, 18-95 years) performed by a single endoscopist over a 32-month period. Fourteen (5.6%) of these patients had clinically evident pulmonary aspiration, with seven of them developing pneumonia. Thirteen (93%) of these patients had normal esophageal mucosa. One of the 24 patients (4%) with esophagitis or esophageal ulceration present endoscopically had an aspiration event with subsequent pneumonia. None of the 20 patients found to have some other form of esophageal pathology had an aspiration event. The overall incidence of aspiration pneumonia after the initiation of PEG feedings was 2.7% (7/251). The odds ratio that the presence of esophagitis would predict the development of aspiration pneumonia was 1.60, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.18 to 13.89. This study argues that the presence of esophagitis alone does not increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia from PEG feedings. Other factors apart from esophagitis play an important role in the incidence of aspiration pneumonia with PEG feeding

Comparison of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy and PEG with jejunal extension

BACKGROUND

Jejunostomy tubes can be placed endoscopically by means of percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension (PEG-J) or by direct percutaneous jejunostomy. These 2 techniques were retrospectively compared in patients requiring long-term jejunal feeding.

METHOD

An endoscopy database was used to identify all patients who underwent endoscopic jejunal feeding tube placement from January 1996 to May 2001. Patients with a history of upper GI surgery were excluded. There were 56 patients with a direct percutaneous jejunostomy and 49 with a percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension. Patients in the direct percutaneous jejunostomy group received a 20F direct jejunostomy tube; a 20F PEG tube with a 9F jejunal extension was used in the percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension group. Medical records for the period of 6 months after establishment of jejunal access were reviewed. Complications and need for further endoscopic intervention within this time frame were recorded. The duration of feeding tube patency (number of days from established jejunal access to first endoscopic reintervention) was compared for both groups.

RESULTS

Feeding tube patency was significantly longer in patients who had a direct percutaneous jejunostomy compared with those with a percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension. Within the 6-month period, 5 patients with a direct percutaneous jejunostomy required endoscopic reintervention for tube dysfunction compared with 19 patients who had a percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients who require long-term jejunal feeding, a direct percutaneous jejunostomy with a 20F tube provides more stable jejunal access compared with a percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension with a 9F extension and has a lower associated rate of endoscopic reintervention.

Enteral nutrition and enteral tube feeding. Review of the evidence

Improvements in delivery systems for enteral feeding, in formulas, and in the understanding of complications have made the technology for enteral feeding easy to apply. Adequate nutrients can be delivered, and individual tolerance for feeding is acceptable. The remaining question is when to apply the technology. Formula selection should be as simple as possible. Aspiration and other early complications are a serious risk and are not diminished by route of feeding. Long-term enteral feeding is associated with a high complication rate, with high mortality, and may not be effective.

Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy

Gastrostomy is a preferred method of nutrition in patients with impaired ability to eat. Although surgical gastrostomy is a well-established method and has been widely performed in the last century, beginning with early 1980s, percutaneous gastrostomy techniques, either endoscopic or radiologic, has widely gained acceptance. As percutaneous methods have been shown to be an effective, safe, easy to perform and low-cost techniques with low morbidity and mortality rates, nowadays percutaneous gastrostomy is the first method of choice in need of nutrition in patients with functioning gut. In this article authors review the technique of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy, as well as indications, contraindications, variations of technique, ethical considerations, controversies and comparison with surgical and endoscopic methods.

Complications of upper GI endoscopy

This is one of a series of statements discussing the utilization of gastrointestinal endoscopy in common clinical situations. The Standards of Practice Committee of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy prepared this text. In preparing this guideline, a MEDLINE literature search was performed, and additional references were obtained from the bibliographies of the identified articles and from recommendations of expert consultants. When little or no data exist from well-designed prospective trials, emphasis is given to results from large series and reports from recognized experts. Guidelines for appropriate utilization of endoscopy are based on a critical review of the available data and expert consensus. Further controlled clinical studies are needed to clarify aspects of this statement, and revision may be necessary as new data appear. Clinical consideration may justify a course of action at variance to these recommendations.

Evaluation of patients with jejunostomy tubes: imaging findings

PURPOSE

To determine the frequency and nature of abnormalities observed on radiographs after placement of jejunostomy (J) tubes for enteral nutrition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Radiology database review revealed that 280 studies of the J tube or of the small bowel with water-soluble contrast material and/or barium sulfate were performed in patients during 10 years. Review of the radiologic reports revealed abnormalities related to the placement of tubes in 105 (38%) cases. Images were reviewed to determine abnormalities in these 105 cases. Radiologic, medical, and surgical records were also reviewed to determine the clinical course and any subsequent interventions.

RESULTS

One or more complications were detected in 40 (14%) of 280 cases: small-bowel obstruction in 17 (6%) cases, nonobstructive small-bowel narrowing in six (2%), extraluminal tracks or collections in seven (2%), extravasation of contrast material to the skin in 11 (4%), jejunal hematomas in five (2%), and intussusceptions in four (1%). Mechanical problems related to the tube were detected in 52 (19%) cases, including coiling, kinking, or knotting of the tube in 38 (14%), malpositioning in five (2%), retrograde flow in four (1%), occlusion in four (1%), and a hole in one (<1%). Focal thickening of small-bowel folds was detected in 24 (9%) cases.

CONCLUSION

Radiographs in 280 patients with J tubes revealed one or more complications that resulted from tube placement (40 [14%] cases), mechanical problems related to location or function of the tube (52 [19%] cases), and development of focally thickened small-bowel folds (24 [9%] cases).

Limitations and uses of gastrojejunal feeding tubes

BACKGROUND

Gastrostomy feeding is a well established alternative method to long term nasogastric tube feeding. Many such patients have gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and require a fundoplication. A transgastric jejunal tube is an alternative when antireflux surgery fails, or is hazardous or inappropriate.

AIMS

To review experience of gastrojejunal (G-J) feeding over six years in two regional centres in the UK.

METHODS

Retrospective review of all children who underwent insertion of a G-J feeding tube.

RESULTS

There were 18 children, 12 of whom were neurologically impaired. G-J tubes were inserted at a median age of 3.1 years (range 0.6-14.7) because of persistent symptoms after Nissen fundoplication (n = 8) or symptomatic GOR where fundoplication was inappropriate. Four underwent primary endoscopic insertion of the G-J tube; the remainder had the tube inserted via a previous gastrostomy track. Seventeen showed good weight gain. There was one insertion related complication. During a median follow up of 10 months (range 1-60), four experienced recurrent aspiration, bilious aspirates, and/or diarrhoea. There were 65 tube related complications in 14 patients, necessitating change of the tube at a median of 74 days. Jejunal tube migration was the commonest problem. Five died from complications of their underlying disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Although G-J feeding tubes were inserted safely and improved nutritional status, their use was associated with a high rate of morbidity. Surgical alternatives such as an Roux-en-Y jejunostomy may be preferable.

Effect of postpyloric feeding on gastroesophageal regurgitation and pulmonary microaspiration: results of a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine the extent to which postpyloric feeding reduces gastroesophageal regurgitation and pulmonary microaspiration in critically ill patients.

DESIGN

Randomized trial.

SETTING

A medical/surgical intensive care unit at a tertiary care hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Intensive care unit patients were expected to remain ventilated >72 hrs. We excluded patients with esophageal, gastric, or small bowel surgery in the last week and patients with overt or clinically significant gastrointestinal bleeding. We studied 33 patients; 42.4% were female, mean age (sd) was 59.2 (+/- 16.8) yrs, and mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 22.5 (7.8).

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to gastric or postpyloric enteral feeds. Technetium 99-sulphur colloid was added to the feeds for 6 hrs of each of the first 3 days on study.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

We sampled the oropharynx and trachea hourly for the 6 hrs per day that patients received radioisotope-labeled enteral feeds, and the level of radioactivity in these specimens was measured. We defined an episode of gastroesophageal regurgitation and microaspiration as an increase in radioactivity >100 counts per minute/g. Patients fed into the stomach had more episodes of gastroesophageal regurgitation (39.8% vs. 24.9%, p =.04) and trended toward more microaspiration (7.5% vs. 3.9%, p =.22) compared with patients fed beyond the pylorus. When the logarithmic mean of the radioactivity count was compared across groups, there was a trend toward an increase in gastroesophageal regurgitation (3.7 vs. 2.9 counts/g, p =.22) and a trend toward increased microaspiration (1.9 vs. 1.4 counts/g, p =.09) in patients fed into the stomach. Patients who had gastroesophageal regurgitation were much more likely to aspirate than patients who did not have gastroesophageal regurgitation (odds ratio: 3.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.36, 7.77).

CONCLUSIONS

Feeding beyond the pylorus is associated with a significant reduction in gastroesophageal regurgitation and a trend toward less microaspiration.

Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy with small bowel enteroscopy and fluoroscopy

BACKGROUND

Approaches to the creation of a percutaneous jejunostomy (PEJ) include enteroscopy with jejunal transillumination, fluoroscopy with small bowel distension and tract dilation, and jejunal enteral tube placement through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Although all have been successful, the combination of enteroscopy and fluoroscopy may improve visualization and the success of PEJ placement. This is a description of such a technique and its successful use in 7 patients.

METHODS

The procedure was performed with the patient under conscious sedation in a manner similar to standard PEG placement. The proximal jejunum was visualized and a standard snare was passed though the enteroscope and was opened. A needle and guidewire were directed percutaneously though the snare by using fluoroscopic guidance. Under direct endoscopic visualization the snare was closed around the guidewire. A standard 20F push-type "gastrostomy" tube was passed over the guidewire and through the mouth and the dome seated in the jejunum. A bumper was passed externally over the tube and tightened at the skin.

RESULTS

PEJ placement was successful in all 7 patients. The average length of the procedure was 40 minutes (range 22-64 minutes). There were no major complications. Mean follow-up was 124 days (range 28-308 days). Feeding tubes remained functional until removal (2), death (1), or surgical removal for an unrelated reason (1). Three tubes are still in use.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube placement can be performed successfully with enteroscopy and fluoroscopy. This technique is safe and efficient and provides distal enteral nutritional support for patients in whom PEG cannot be used.

Can percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy prevent gastroesophageal reflux in patients with preexisting esophagitis?

OBJECTIVE

Percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy has been used for preventing pulmonary aspiration arising from gastric contents by concomitant jejunal feeding and gastric decompression in susceptible patients. Our objective was to evaluate gastroesophageal reflux in patients with percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube feeding.

METHODS

Eight cerebrovascular accident patients with percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube placement caused by reflux esophagitis with hematemesis, food regurgitation or vomiting, and/or recurrent aspiration pneumonia were tested for gastroesophageal reflux using 24-h esophageal pH monitoring during continuous jejunal liquid meal or saline infusion with concomitant gastric decompression. Twenty-four hour pH monitoring was also performed during intragastric feeding on a different day.

RESULTS

During the liquid meal feeding period, percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy feeding reduced esophageal acid exposure 46% [12.9% (4.9-28.2%) versus 24.0% (19.0-40.6%), p = 0.01], compared to intragastric feeding. However, in the period of the jejunal tube infusion, esophageal acid exposure was significantly lower during saline infusion than during meal infusion [3.2 (0.0%-10.8%) versus 12.9% (4.9-28.2%), p = 0.008].

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy feeding reduced but did not eliminate gastroesophageal reflux, compared to intragastric feeding in patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux. However, gastroesophageal reflux during percutaneous jejunal feeding was associated with meal infusion. This might, in part, explain the failure of percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube placement to prevent pulmonary aspiration.

Results of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy, an alternative method for providing jejunal feeding

OBJECTIVE

To assess the results of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) as a method for jejunal feeding.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of all patients who were referred for DPEJ between October 1998, when the procedure was implemented at our institution, and January 2000. Medical records were reviewed to assess technical success, complications, and the need for repeat procedures. Patient satisfaction with DPEJ was also evaluated by means of standardized telephone interviews.

RESULTS

In 26 (72%) of 36 patients, DPEJ placement was successful. During the mean follow-up of 107 days, none of the patients with DPEJ required reintervention for tube malfunction or displacement. Two patients developed a persistent enterocutaneous fistula following the removal of the DPEJ tube. No other procedure-related complications were noted. Fifteen (78%) of 19 patients who responded to follow-up questions reported an overall satisfaction rating of 8 or higher on a 10-point scale (1, completely dissatisfied, to 10, completely satisfied).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that DPEJ is an effective and safe method for providing jejunal tube feeding. A low reintervention rate along with high patient satisfaction makes DPEJ an attractive alternative to the more commonly placed jejunostomy feeding tubes.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

More than a century after its initial clinicopathologic description, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains a largely fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which few efficacious pharmacotherapies with an impact directly on the natural course of the illness exist. The only currently approved therapy, the antiglutamatergic agent riluzole, has been shown to have only a marginal survival benefit in the absence of changes in functional assessments during the disease course. The efficacy of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor (rhIGF-1) remains controversial. In light of this, the primary focus of treatment for individuals with ALS remains symptomatic, through a multidisciplinary team approach including physicians, nurses, speech/language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, social workers, and respiratory therapists.