A reproducible, safe jejunostomy replacement technique by a percutaneous endoscopic method.

Patients undergoing esophagogastrectomy for cancer often benefit from postoperative nutritional support and an operative jejunostomy is frequently placed at the time of surgery. If the original tube has been removed, replacement of this jejunostomy previously required repeat laparotomy. Described here is the technique of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy placement (PEJ) used in two such patients following esophagogastrectomy. This PEJ placement technique using a #16-Fr, Pezzer-type Ponsky tube is an easy, reproducible method for the replacement of an operative jejunostomy tube. The fibrosed tract between the abdominal wall and jejunum allows the safe performance of the procedure if one endoscopically identifies the site of operative insertion.