Endoscopic jejunal access for enteral feeding

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Nutrition
• Endoscopy

Background:

• Enteral nutrition (gut alimentation) provides superior benefits compared to parenteral (intravenous) nutrition.
• Enteral feeding preserves gut integrity, microbial balance, and immune function, reducing complications like bacterial translocation.
• Achieving reliable jejunal delivery of nutrition without surgical intervention is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a simplified endoscopic technique for early jejunal feeding tube placement.
• To facilitate enteral nutrition delivery within 24 hours post-trauma or surgery.
• To evaluate the feasibility of jejunal tube placement with or without percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Main Methods:

• Endoscopic placement of a jejunal feeding tube.
• Technique applicable early (within 24 hours) after trauma resuscitation or operation.
• Concomitant percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is optional.

Main Results:

• A simplified endoscopic technique for jejunal feeding tube placement is described.
• This method allows for early initiation of enteral nutrition.
• The technique can be performed with or without a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic jejunal tube placement is a feasible method for early enteral nutrition.
• This technique bypasses the difficulties associated with operative feeding tube placement.
• Early jejunal feeding supports patient recovery and gut health.