Enteral nutrition and the critically ill

Re-examining chemically defined liquid diets through the lens of the microbiome

Trends in nutritional science are rapidly shifting as information regarding the value of eating unprocessed foods and its salutary effect on the human microbiome emerge. Unravelling the evolution and ecology by which humans have harboured a microbiome that participates in every facet of health and disease is daunting. Most strikingly, the host habitat has sought out naturally occurring foodstuff that can fulfil its own metabolic needs and also the needs of its microbiota, each of which remain inexorably connected to one another. With the introduction of modern medicine and complexities of critical care, came the assumption that the best way to feed a critically ill patient is by delivering fibre-free chemically defined sterile liquid foods (that is, total enteral nutrition). In this Perspective, we uncover the potential flaws in this assumption and discuss how emerging technology in microbiome sciences might inform the best method of feeding malnourished and critically ill patients.

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.

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.

Re-examination of risk factors for non-Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in hospitalized patients

AIM

This paper is a report of a study to determine the incidence of non-Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in hospitalized patients and to re-evaluate clinical characteristics and other risk factors related to non-C. difficile-associated diarrhoea.

BACKGROUND

Numerous factors are thought to be responsible for diarrhoea in hospitalized patients. Reports about the diarrhoeal effects of some medications administered concomitantly with tube feeding have stimulated reappraisal of the influence of tube feeding as a potential cause.

METHOD

This study was a secondary analysis of data of 154 hospitalized patients collected during a prospective epidemiological study from 1992 to 1993. The secondary analysis was completed in 2006 in order to investigate unanswered questions of current importance.

FINDINGS

The sample was predominantly male and middle aged; approximately 50% were tube fed, and 25% were in an intensive care unit. The incidence of diarrhoea was 35%. Increased severity of illness as well as the combination of sorbitol-containing medication administration and tube feeding were found to be statistically significant factors in the development of diarrhoea.

CONCLUSION

As diarrhoea in hospitalized patients appears to be multifactorial, use of an algorithm to systematically evaluate and manage related factors is recommended.

Effects of continuous versus bolus infusion of enteral nutrition in critical patients

PURPOSE

Enteral alimentation is the preferred modality of support in critical patients who have acceptable digestive function and are unable to eat orally, but the advantages of continuous versus intermittent administration are surrounded by controversy. With the purpose of identifying the benefits and complications of each technique, a prospective controlled study with matched subjects was conducted.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-eight consecutive candidates for enteral feeding were divided into 2 groups (n = 14 each) that were matched for diagnosis and APACHE II score. A commercial immune-stimulating polymeric diet was administered via nasogastric tube by electronic pump in the proportion of 25 kcal/kg/day, either as a 1-hour bolus every 3 hours (Group I), or continuously for 24 hours (Group II), over a 3-day period. Anthropometrics, biochemical measurements, recording of administered drugs and other therapies, thorax X-ray, measurement of abdominal circumference, monitoring of gastric residue, and clinical and nutritional assessments were performed at least once daily. The principal measured outcomes of this protocol were frequency of abdominal distention and pulmonary aspiration, and efficacy in supplying the desired amount of nutrients.

RESULTS

Nearly half of the total population (46.4%) exhibited high gastric residues on at least 1 occasion, but only 1 confirmed episode of pulmonary aspiration occurred (3.6%). Both groups displayed a moderate number of complications, without differences. Food input during the first day was greater in Group II (approximately 20% difference), but by the third day, both groups displayed similarly small deficits in total furnished volume of about 10%, when compared with the prescribed diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Both administration modalities permitted practical and effective administration of the diet with frequent registered abnormalities but few clinically significant problems. The two groups were similar in this regard, without statistical differences, probably because of meticulous technique, careful monitoring, strict patient matching, and conservative amounts of diet employed in both situations. Further studies with additional populations, diagnostic groups, and dietetic prescriptions should be performed in order to elucidate the differences between these commonly used feeding modalities.

Understanding gastrointestinal perfusion in critical care: so near, and yet so far

An association between abnormal gastrointestinal perfusion and critical illness has been suggested for a number of years. Much of the data to support this idea comes from studies using gastric tonometry. Although an attractive technology, the interpretation of tonometry data is complex. Furthermore, current understanding of the physiology of gastrointestinal perfusion in health and disease is incomplete. This review considers critically the striking clinical data and basic physiological investigations that support a key role for gastrointestinal hypoperfusion in initiating and/or perpetuating critical disease.

Intestinal obstruction secondary to enteral feedings in burn trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Enteral feeding is preferred for maintaining gut integrity and providing nutrition in trauma patients. Recent reports suggest that use of early enteral feeds is successful and that complications are rare. A recent burn patient, who suffered apparent bowel obstruction and perforation secondary to enteral feedings, led us to review our experience with mechanical complications of tube feedings.

METHODS

We searched our registry of patients treated for acute burn trauma injury and identified patients treated for acute bowel obstruction in the past 3 years.

RESULTS

Four patients were identified, ages 22 to 44, with burns of 6 to 92% total body surface area. Each required intubation and ventilatory support during initial treatment, complicated by adult respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis. We began enteral feeds 1 to 3 days after admission. At approximately 14 days after admission, each patient deteriorated clinically, which led to emergent abdominal exploration; the tube feedings caused bowel obstruction and associated complications. Each patient improved with laparotomy.

CONCLUSION

Bowel obstruction, ischemic necrosis, or both, secondary to early and aggressive nutrition with a fiber supplemented enteral feeding is an uncommon, life-threatening complication. Understanding and early recognition of this potential complication are essential to prevention or successful treatment.

Low blood glucose levels and other complications during growth hormone supplementation in sepsis

Blood glucose levels in the high normal range or even moderate hyperglycemia is the expected profile in septic postoperative patients receiving high-calorie enteral alimentation. The addition of growth hormone as an anabolic agent should additionally reinforce this tendency. In a cancer patient undergoing partial gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy and suffering from postoperative subphrenic abscess and prolonged sepsis, tube feeding (38.3 kcal/kg/day) and growth hormone (0.17 IU/kg/day) were simultaneously administered for 25 days. Blood glucose levels were in the lower limits of the normal range before growth hormone introduction, and continued with a similar tendency during most of the therapeutic period. Two additional complications, namely heart arrest and peripheral edema, were documented during the same period. It is concluded that sepsis was the most likely mechanism for low glucose values, and that high-calorie enteral diet and growth hormone supplementation did not prevent that result. It is uncertain whether heart arrest was due to the drug, but its association with peripheral edema is well documented in clinical series.

Gastrointestinal complications in the intensive care unit

Pathologic conditions affecting the abdomen are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit, but their importance is not widely recognized. This article presents several aspects of abdominal pathology that can occur in intensive care unit patients. This pathology may have a considerable impact on the prognosis and survival of the critically ill patient. The diagnostic contribution of laboratory tests and imaging is discussed. Conditions such as the abdominal compartment syndrome, acute mesenteric ischemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal sepsis, complications of entereal and parenteral nutrition, and ileus in critically ill patients are also reviewed.