[Patient oriented, prospective comparative study of three different pump systems for artificial enteral nutrition]

In a prospective cross-over study involving 30 patients, three different pump systems for artificial enteral nutrition were compared: the Nutromat, Flexiflo, and Frenta systems. Depending upon the degree of acceptance, a controlled sequence of priority of the pump systems was established. In addition, 12 functions and features of the different systems were scored using a scoring key (scores: +2, +1, +/- 0, -1, -2). The Nutromat was adjudged the best system by 53% of the patients, the Flexiflo system was preferred by 30%, and the Frenta system by 17%, of the patients. In the average overall rating of functions and features, the Nutromat scored 1.3 ("good"), the Flexiflo 0.8 ("satisfactory"), and the Frenta system 0.4 ("adequate"). All in all, more than half the patients assessed the Nutromat as the most pleasant and also best pump system.