Technical complications of feeding jejunostomy: a critical analysis

Abstract

Introduction: A retrospective review of patients undergoing feeding jejunostomy (FJ) was undertaken in order to evaluate procedure related complications and their impact on final outcome.

Patients and methods: Ninety six patients had FJ at the department of Surgical Gastroenterology, SGPGIMS from January 1989 to December 1995.

Results: FJ as an adjunct was performed in 89 patients with predominantly oesophageal (n = 62) and pancreatic surgery (n = 17). Seven patients had FJ as the only procedure. Fifteen patients (15.2%) had complications related to FJ. Minor complications (7.2%) included dislodgement (n = 3), blockage of the tube (n = 2) and pericatheter leak (n = 2). Major complications (8.3%) which needed surgical intervention were, detachment of the jejunostomy from the abdominal wall (n = 3), leak into the peritoneal cavity (n = 3), jejunal perforation by the tip of the catheter (n = 1) and peritonitis after removal of the tube (n = 1). Procedure related mortality was 3.2%.

Conclusions: FJ should not be treated as a minor procedure and due attention to the technical details is required in its performance, otherwise it may well become the cause of a poor result following a very successful major operation.