Objective: To determine the complication rate of feeding jejunostomy (FJ) p
erformed as an adjunct to trauma celiotomy,
Methods: Retrospective analysis of 222 patients from January of 1988 to May
of 1998,
Results: Thirty-seven total FJ-related complications occurred in 22 patient
s (10%), Major FJ-related complications occurred in nine patients (4%): two
small bowel perforations, two small bowel volvuli with infarction, two int
raperitoneal leaks, and three small bowel necroses, Patients suffering majo
r FJ-related complications were similar to those without complications, exc
ept for the FJ type. Patients with major FJ-related complications were more
likely to have had a Witzel tube jejunostomy than a needle catheter jejuno
stomy (p = 0.03). Three deaths were related to major FJ complications, for
a FJ-related mortality rate of 1.4%.
Conclusions: FJ has a major complication rate of 4% in severely injured pat
ients. Major complications occur more frequently with larger, Witzel-type t
ubes. Needle catheter jejunostomy appears to be a safer method of surgical
jejunal access in trauma patients.