Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomies for enteral feeding

Enteral feeding through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is increasingly utilized in hospitals, homes, and institutions. However, PEGs have two major limitations: (1) risk for aspiration, which occurs in up to 30% of patients, and (2) it does not allow enteral feeding in patients with gastric outlet obstruction, gastroparesis, or gastric resection.

A new endoscopic method for placement of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) was attempted in 150 patients with or without a history of major abdominal surgery. Patients were followed-up until tube utilization ceased because of death or resumption of oral feeding.

There were 129 (86%) successful procedures and 21 (14%) unsuccessful attempts. Procedure-related complications included nine (6%) incisional infections. Bleeding, abscess, and colonic perforation each occurred in one patient (.6%), and all required surgical intervention. On long-term follow-up (n = 97), tube malfunction occurred in 3 patients (3%) and aspiration in 3 (3%). Duration of tube use in this population was 113 +/- 173 days.

DPEJs can be performed successfully with a low complication rate. Enteral feeding through DPEJs drastically reduces aspiration, which commonly occurs with PEG feeding. DPEJs allow feeding and hydration of patients with gastric outlet obstruction due to cancer who are not surgical candidates, eliminate the need for intravenous hydration and feeding, and can cut costs of hospitalization and treatment.