Jejunostomy Enteral Feeding in Children: Outcome and Safety

Background: The aim of this study was to report on the clinical outcome and safety of jejunostomy tube feeding used in our clinical setting for more than 14 years. Material and Methods: A retrospective study of all children who underwent a surgical catheter jejunostomy placement between July 1996 and March 2010 was conducted. Data were collected regarding the outcome and complications. Results: Thirty-three children (14 girls) were included. The median age at the time of primary surgery was 1.43 years (range, 0.15-17.7 years), and the median time of follow-up was 2.34 years (range, 0.27-12.6 years). Seventeen children were severely neurologically impaired (NI). Surgical insertion of a jejunostomy tube was performed due to 1 or more of the following indications: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), failure to thrive, recurrent pneumonia, esophageal disease, or oral feeding difficulties. The effect of the indications showed a reduction in GERD and pneumonia. Feeding difficulties also decreased. Weaning was possible in 12 of 16 children without NI but in only 2 of 17 with NI. Major complications requiring surgical reoperation affected 8 children. No mortality was related to the jejunostomy feeding catheter. Conclusion: In selected cases, surgically placed jejunostomy tubes for feeding in children is an effective and safe method to overcome GERD, feeding difficulties, or recurrent pneumonia without major surgery.