Small-bowel necrosis associated with jejunal tube feeding.
OBJECTIVE
To report 3 cases of small-bowel necrosis after jejunal tube feeding and to review the literature concerning this condition.


METHODS
A 5-year retrospective review.


METHODS
A 560-bed university-affiliated tertiary-care teaching hospital.


METHODS
Three patients who had bowel necrosis out of 386 who received jejunal tube feedings.


RESULTS
The patients experienced small-bowel necrosis as a consequence of jejunal feeding. The ischemic necrosis was preceded by progressive abdominal pain, distension and high nasogastric output. All 3 patients required extensive small-bowel resection. Although survival was rare in previous reports, our 3 patients survived after prompt surgical intervention and small-bowel resection.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the death rate for this condition approaches 70%, timely recognition and surgical intervention can save the patient's life.
Lawlor
D K
DK
Division of Thoracic Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Center.
Inculet
R I
RI
Malthaner
R A
RA
D000368:Aged; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D007582:Jejunostomy; D007583:Jejunum / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome