Complications of Jejunostomy Feeding Tubes: A Single Center Experience of 546 Cases

Adequate perioperative nutrition is critical for the success of surgical outcomes. Jejunostomy feeding tube placement may ensure enteral feeding access; however, these types of tubes have had variable reported rates of dysfunction/morbidity. The aim of our study was to report our experience with jejunostomy feeding tube placement and the long-term outcomes following complex foregut surgery.

We performed a review of all of our jejunostomy feeding tube placement patients from 1/1/2010 until 7/1/2018. The indication for surgery and primary operation were recorded. All adverse events related to the jejunostomy were recorded during the entire duration of tube access. Social "hassle-factor" issues were also reported, including the number of "jejunostomy-related" phone calls, reinsertion and related placement studies, and readmissions pertaining to jejunostomy-associated complications.

During the study period, 542 primary procedures were performed with secondary jejunostomy placement. Jejunostomy-related adverse events occurred in 22.0% of patients (n = 119/542); 12.0% (n = 65/542) were dislodged tubes, 6.0% (n = 30/542) clogged tubes; 5% (n = 25/542) leaking tubes, and 2.8% (n = 15/542) site infections. Tube dysfunctions initiated 244 reinsertion/placement studies in 107 patients, 20 jejunostomy tube-related readmissions, and 78 phone calls to providers for tube dysfunction. Adverse event rates differed significantly between groups (p < 0.001), with esophagogastric resection adverse event rates of 42.3% versus 19.2% for pancreatic ablations.

Jejunostomy feeding tubes resulted in adverse events in less than a third of patients. Patient-related hassle must be communicated preoperatively in order to prevent jejunostomy tube-related morbidity. Optimal early and late jejunostomy feeding optimization varies based on preoperative patient comorbidities, type of operation, and the need for adjuvant oncology therapy.