[The nasojejunal tube in early postoperative nutrition]

Abstract

Background: To verify the effectiveness of the nasojejunal tube inserted during operation as an alternative to jejunostomy to perform early enteral feeding.

Experimental design: Prospective study.

Setting: Department of Surgery, General Hospital.

Patients: 27 patients undergoing laparotomy because of a gastric pathology.

Interventions: In 18 patients before construction of the distal jejunum anastomosis the tube was inserted by nasal route and advanced into the jejunum ansa until the end reached 15 to 20 cm down the anastomosis (group A); 9 patients underwent a jejunostomy according to Delany (group B). All the patients started enteral feeding 24 hours after operation and had the same polymeric diet, given to them using the same procedures.

Measures: postoperative complications, tube intolerance, intestinal tolerance.

Results: The degree of non-acceptance of the tube was: absent in 3 patients of group A and in 7 patients of group B (p > 0.05); slight in 6 patients of group A and in 2 patients of group B (p > 0.05); medium in 9 patients of group A and in no one of the group B (p no measurable); high in neither groups. The intestinal tolerance was similar in both groups.

Conclusions: Nasojejunal tube is an effective alternative to jejunostomy to perform early postoperative enteral feeding.