Indications for needle catheter jejunostomy in elective abdominal surgery.

Needle catheter jejunostomy for postoperative nutritional support is now employed worldwide. However, there is a large discrepancy regarding indications for this technique which this study attempts to rectify. The need for nutritional support after elective abdominal procedures in 464 patients was analyzed and compared with the experience with needle catheter jejunostomy in 42 patients. The results show that needle catheter jejunostomy is indicated after extensive operations of the upper gastrointestinal tract, for example, esophagectomy, total gastrectomy, and the Whipple procedure. With minor upper gastrointestinal operations, or procedures of the lower gastrointestinal tract, needle catheter jejunostomy should be performed only in patients with poor nutritional status or in the presence of postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In an unclear situation, liberal insertion of the needle catheter jejunostomy and a postponed decision on enteral feeding is recommended, as there is no significant catheter-related morbidity.