Fiber-containing formula and needle catheter jejunostomies: a clinical evaluation

Despite the high frequency of diarrhea, chemically defined diets have traditionally been used with needle catheter jejunostomies, a common form of postpyloric enteral access, to avoid tube occlusion. We reviewed our experience with 57 patients fed a fiber-containing diet to determine the incidence of catheter occlusion and diarrhea. Eight catheters temporarily occluded but were reopened and remained patent for an additional 6.3 +/- 3.1 days for an overall success rate of 91% (52 of 57). The five remaining occluded catheters were removed after 6.2 +/- 1.8 days. Four of the five patients with occluded catheters tolerated gastric feedings, but one required a permanent jejunostomy. Diarrhea occurred in six (10.5%) of the 57 patients given the fiber-containing formula. We concluded that a fiber-containing formula can be administered through needle catheter jejunostomies if the catheter is irrigated daily and if no medications are given via the catheter. A fiber-containing formula may reduce the incidence of diarrhea in jejunostomy-fed patients compared with patients fed chemically defined diets.