Small-bowel necrosis associated with jejunal tube feeding
Lawlor, D.K.; Inculet, R.I.; Malthaner, R.A.
Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien de Chirurgie 41(6): 459-462
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-428X PMID: 9854537 Document Number: 484860
To report 3 cases of small-bowel necrosis after jejunal tube feeding and to review the literature concerning this condition. A 5-year retrospective review. A 560-bed university-affiliated tertiary-care teaching hospital. Three patients who had bowel necrosis out of 386 who received jejunal tube feedings. The patients experienced small-bowel necrosis as a consequence of jejunal feeding. The ischemic necrosis was preceded by progressive abdominal pain, distension and high nasogastric output. All 3 patients required extensive small-bowel resection. Although survival was rare in previous reports, our 3 patients survived after prompt surgical intervention and small-bowel resection. Although the death rate for this condition approaches 70%, timely recognition and surgical intervention can save the patient's life.