Permanent enteral feeding in cystic fibrosis: advantages of a replaceable jejunostomy tube

A feeding jejunostomy constructed by the Witzel technique has been used to supplement 12 wasted patients with cystic fibrosis during 260 patient months. None of the patients has stopped the nocturnal feeding once started on the program. The preferred tube was the Entriflex enteral feeding tube, which, when placed without internal fixation, could be easily changed as necessary. There have been no major complications. Minor complications include tube blockage, dislodgement, local infection, and leakage around the tube causing granuloma formation. We have not lost the use of any of the jejunostomies because of inability to replace the tube when it has been dislodged.