Needle catheter jejunostomy: a controlled, prospective, randomized trial in patients with gynecologic malignancy

Sixty patients with gynecologic cancer entered a prospective, randomized study of immediate postoperative feeding. Thirty-three women in the study group received an elemental diet (Vivonex HN) delivered through a needle catheter jejunostomy. Twenty-seven patients in the control group were given standard 5% dextrose and electrolyte solutions. Patients in both groups were stratified according to nutritional status as determined by anthropometric evaluation and levels of serum albumin, total protein, and transferrin. These parameters also were measured at intervals throughout the study. Only one catheter-related complication occurred. Patients in the study group received significantly more calories (p = 0.01) and were better able to maintain serum levels of transferrin (p = 0.05) than those in the control group. An elemental diet administered through the needle catheter jejunostomy effectively maintains postoperative nutrition and is associated with few complications.