A SIMPLE METHOD FOR ENDOSCOPIC PLACEMENT OF A NASODUODENAL FEEDING TUBE

The key to short-term enteral feeding in patients with gastroparesis i s to deliver the nutrition beyond the pylorus. Endoscopic assisted met hods allow the precise placement of the feeding tube to the small bowe l. However, the main difficulty in association with these procedures i s feeding-tube migration into the stomach during the withdrawal of the endoscope. We have developed an endoscopic method with a high success rate which prevents this problem. A reusable angiocatheter guidewire was threaded through the feeding tube, passing beyond the distal openi ng prior to the withdrawal of the scope. Counterpressure was applied t o the feeding tube during the withdrawal of the endoscope. We have suc cessfully placed feeding tubes in 22 out of 23 patients with no compli cations.