Feeding jejunostomy: a safe adjunct to laparotomy

It is well established that a feeding jejunostomy is an invaluable adjuvant for use in critically ill and malnourished patients. What is not well known are the complications of inserting these tubes. Some surgeons are reluctant to insert feeding tubes unless the indications are very clear. From their experience with the insertion of 133 feeding jejunostomy tubes during a 3-year period, the authors conclude that the complications associated with the insertion of such tubes are few and that the procedure is justified even if the tube is never used.