Enteral feeding via jejunostomy as a cause of intestinal perforation and necrosis

Abstract

Background: Jejunostomy for enteral feeding is excellent for patients who cannot manage oral intake, with a low complication rate. A Foley catheter, Ryle tube, Kerh tube or needle-catheter (Jejuno-Cath ® ) are commonly used. It is a safe procedure but it can lead to severe complications.Case report: We present two cases: firstly, an 80 year old male who was admitted to the Emergency Room with a bowel perforation secondary to Jejuno-Cath ® for enteral feeding after a subtotal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction; and secondly, a 53 year old male who was admitted to the Emergency Room due to gastric perforation developing multiple complications, including bowel necrosis and enteral feeding impaction.Discussion: We have reviewed the recent literature with regard to this rare complication.

Small bowel perforation consecutive to feeding jejunostomy: A case report

“…In case of a perforation associated with a collection, or a feeding leak, an exhaustive washing of the abdominal cavity should be performed, with bowel resection of ischemic loops. However, if there is no feeding leak nor ischemia, then the perforation and the feeding jejunostomy site should be closed; and the tube replaced by a new one positioned distally [6,8].…”