Long-term enteral access in aspiration-prone patients

Duodenal Decubitus Ulcer Caused by Percutaneous Endoscopic Transgastric Jejunostomy Tube

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has substituted surgical gastrostomy for long-term enteral nutrition. Percutaneous endoscopic transgastric jejunostomy (PEG-J) entails placing a feeding tube into the jejunum through PEG. Unlike PEG, PEG-J is associated with complications caused by the jejunal extension tube. Herein, we report a rare complication of PEG-J. A 71-year-old woman who underwent PEG-J for the administration of carbidopa-levodopa, complained of epigastric pain, dyspepsia, and weight loss of more than 10% in 2 months. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a duodenal decubitus ulcer caused by the pressure from the jejunal extension tube. After removal of the PEG-J and a 4-week treatment with a proton pump inhibitor, the ulcer healed and the symptoms resolved.

Interventions for Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Adults with Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Feeding and swallowing disorders are prevalent in adults with Intellectual Disability (ID) and can potentially lead to discomfort, malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration, and choking. Most common interventions include: diet modification, compensatory strategies, swallowing therapy, and non-oral feeding. Despite their common use, the research evidence for these interventions is lacking. The current study aimed to systematically review the evidence for the safety and the effectiveness of interventions for feeding and swallowing disorders in adults with ID. Seven electronic databases, conference proceedings, and reference lists of relevant studies were reviewed from online availability to March 2019, with no language restrictions. Eligibility criteria encompassed experimental or non-experimental study design, adults (> 18 years) with ID and feeding and/or swallowing disorders (any etiology and severity) and any intervention for feeding and/or swallowing disorders. Methodological quality was assessed by two independent reviewers using the Downs and Black checklist. Four articles met the inclusion criteria. All included studies considered enteral feeding as an intervention strategy and had a retrospective observational design. Overall, included studies reported positive change in nutritional status and a high incidence of adverse events following enteral feeding initiation. Risk of bias was high with variability in methodological quality. The safety and effectiveness of interventions for feeding and swallowing in adults with ID is unclear. This review highlights the lack of evidence-based practice in this area. Directions for further research are provided. Before enteral feeding initiation, risks and benefits should be appropriately balanced on an individual basis, and caregivers should be involved in the decision-making process.

Inhibition of gastroesophageal reflux by semi-solid nutrients in patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

BACKGROUND

Aspiration is one of the major complications after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The administration of semi-solid nutrients by means of gastrostomy tube has recently been reported to be effective in preventing aspiration pneumonia. The effects of semi-solid nutrients on gastroesophageal reflux, intragastric distribution, and gastric emptying were evaluated.

METHODS

Semi-solid nutrients were prepared by liquid nutrients mixed with agar at the concentration of 0.5%. The distribution of the administered radiolabeled liquid and semi-solid nutrients was monitored by a scintillation camera for 15 post-PEG patients. The percentage of esophageal reflux, the distribution of the proximal and distal stomach, and the gastric emptying time were evaluated.

RESULTS

The percentage of gastroesophageal reflux was significantly decreased in semi-solid nutrients (0.82 +/- 1.27%) compared with liquid nutrients (3.75 +/- 4.25%), whereas the gastric emptying time was not different. The distribution of semi-solid nutrients was not different from liquid nutrients in the early phase, whereas higher retention of liquid nutrients in the proximal stomach was observed in the late phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastroesophageal reflux was significantly inhibited by semi-solid nutrients. One of the mechanisms of the inhibition is considered to be an improvement in the transition from the proximal to distal stomach in semi-solid nutrients.

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.

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.

Nutritional support of the hospitalized patient

Comprehensive care of patients in hospitals includes assessment of nutritional status and provision of appropriate support. This approach is facilitated by knowledge of the essential differences in metabolism between starved and stressed states. Nutritional assessment and care of patients in a hospital are based on answers to the following questions: Who gets it? When do they get it? How much do they get? What route is used to administer it? What kind do they get? What are common complications of enteral and parenteral support? What nutritional aspects are pertinent to common diseases?