The Complications of Jejunostomies in the Post-Operative Period
Keywords:
MedicineAbstract
Objectives: To determine the type and frequency of complications relating to jejunostomy feeding tubes following oesophagectomy for oesophageal malignancy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 25 patients who had undergone oesophagectomy. Physicians’ notes, nursing and nutrition notes were analysed and any complication relating to the jejunostomy tube was recorded. Results: Of the 25 patients reviewed, 14 (56%) had mild complications associated with the jejunostomy tube. Three (12%) experienced diarrhoea, 3 (12%) had abdominal distention, 3
(12%) bloating, 3 (12%) cramping, 1 (4%) constipation, 1 (4%) reflux. In 13 patients, all of the symptoms were mild and resolved in one to two days with treatment. One patient who developed diarrhoea died of sepsis before an outcome could be determined. Conclusion: The complications relating the jejunostomy feeding were minor, short-lived and easily treatable. These minor complications are acceptable considering the nutritional advantages that jejunostomy tubes offer patients post-operatively.
References
2. Aiko S, Yoshizumi Y, Sugiura Y et al. Beneficial effects of immediate enteral nutrition after oesophageal cancer surgery. Surg Today 2001; 31:971-978.
3. Alverdy J, Chi, HS, Sheldon GF. The effect of parenteral nutrition on gastrointestinal immunity: the importance of enteral stimulation. Ann Surg 1985; 202:681.
4. Tapia J, Murguia R, Garcia G et al. Jejunostomy: Techniques, indications, and omplications. World J Surg 1999; 23:596-602.
5. Mansell NJ. Use of a feeding jejunostomy after oesophogastric surgery. Br J Surg 1995;
82:811-813.
6. Rennie MJ. Consensus workshop on enteral feeding of ICU patients. How important is the role of glutamine? Br J Int Care 1993; 3:438-47.
7. Langkamp-Henken B, Glezer JA, Kudsk KA. Immunologic structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract. Nutr Clin Pract 1992; 7:100.
8. Sonawane RN, Thombare MM, Kumar A. Technical complications of feeding jejunostomy: a critical analysis. Trop Gastroenterol 1997; 18:127-8.
9. Eddy VA, Snell JE, Morris JA Jr. Analysis of complications and long-term outcome of trauma patients with needle catheter jejunostomy. Am Surg 1996; 62:40-44.
10. Sarr, M.G. Appropriate use, complications and advantages demonstrated in 500 consecutive needle catheter jejunostomies. Br J Surg 1999; 86:557-561.
11. Jones TN, Moore FA, Moore EE, et al. Gastrointestinal symptoms attributed to jejunostomy feeding after major abdominal trauma-a critical analysis. Crit Care Med 1989; 17:1146-50.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Provided they are the owners of the copyright to their work, authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal’s published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository, in a journal or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
