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Gastrojejunal (GJ) tube feeding: developing a service and evaluating associated complications in a paediatric
Rebecca Williams1, Harmit Singh Ghattaura2, Ruth Hallows3
1Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK.
Insights
Gastrojejunal (GJ) tube feeding is effective for children with feeding intolerance. This method is safe and reversible, with a dedicated team improving long-term outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Gastrojejunal (GJ) tubes offer an alternative nutrition delivery for children unable to tolerate gastric feeding.
- Limited data exists on patient outcomes, tube longevity, and complications associated with GJ tubes.
- This study evaluates a specialized service for pediatric GJ tube feeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a service for pediatric GJ tube feeding.
- To assess patient outcomes, tube longevity, and complication rates.
- To highlight the effectiveness and safety of GJ tube management in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric GJ tube placements and replacements.
- Study period: January 2015 to June 2018 in a tertiary pediatric surgical center.
- Inclusion criteria: Children undergoing initial gastrostomy to GJ tube conversion or GJ tube replacement.
Main Results:
- 134 GJ tubes placed in 33 neurologically impaired children (median age 4.9 years).
- Median replacement time: 174.9 days; common indication: foregut dysmotility.
- Complication rate: 34.3%; 75.7% continued jejunal feeding; no mortalities.
Conclusions:
- GJ tube feeding is a safe and effective option for pediatric foregut dysmotility.
- The reversibility of jejunal feeding is a significant advantage.
- A dedicated multidisciplinary team is crucial for efficient long-term management.
Introduction:
Gastrojejunal (GJ) tubes are becoming an established alternative method of delivering nutrition to children who do not tolerate gastric feeding. However, there is limited literature surrounding patient outcomes, the longevity of tubes or complications. We aim to highlight the development and evaluation of a service to provide children with GJ tube feeding.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective case-note review of children either undergoing an initial gastrostomy to gastrojejunal tube conversion or gastrojejunal tube replacement in our tertiary paediatric surgical centre between January 2015 and June 2018.
Results:
134 GJ feeding tubes were placed in 33 neurologically impaired children with a median age of 4.9 years (8 months-17 years) having a median 4 tube placements per child (1-11) within the study period. All tubes were 14 or 16 Fr 'AMT G-JET' tubes with a median replacement time of 174.9 days (13-504 days). The most common indication was foregut dysmotility in children with global developmental delay. The complication rate was 34.3% (46 tubes). In the study period, 2 patients (6.1%) reverted to oral feeding, 6 patients (18.2%) to gastric feeding and 25 children (75.7%) continued with jejunal feeding. No child required fundoplication. There were no procedure-related mortalities or mortality.
Conclusions:
GJ tube feeding is an effective and safe method of managing children with foregut dysmotility. Many patients do not require permanent jejunal feeding, and thus the reversibility of this method is an asset. A dedicated team is needed to co-ordinate tube replacements and provide efficient long-term jejunal feeding.
Level Of Evidence:
IV.
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