JEJUNAL FEEDING IN THE ABSENCE OF REFLUX INCREASES NASOGASTRIC OUTPUTIN CRITICALLY ILL TRAUMA PATIENTS

Nasojejunal feeding of trauma patients is becoming a common practice. Aspiration rate comparisons between jejunal versus gastric-fed patient s have been shown to be equal. We performed a retrospective evaluation of gastric output in 51 trauma patients who tolerated initiation and advancement of nasojejunal feedings. Gastric output was measured in th e absence of reflux of feeds. Gastric output was compared over a 24-ho ur interval before initiation of feeds and after advancement to nutrit ionally complete levels. The increase in gastric output was found to b e significant [301.9 +/- 19.8 mL/day before feeds, 587.8 +/- 47.1 mL/d ay (P = 0.01) after advancement of feeds]. The overall documented pulm onary aspiration rate in these patients was 5.9 per cent. Because of t his significant increase in gastric output, nasogastric residual check should be performed routinely in patients receiving nasojejunal feedi ng.