title: Long-term enteral access in aspiration-prone patients.
abstract: Aspiration pneumonia is a serious complication of enteral feeding. Many critically ill patients are particularly at risk for aspiration. Few studies have rigorously compared various access devices. Risk factors for aspiration and studies examining aspiration associated with enteral feeding devices are reviewed. We recommend a surgical jejunostomy for all patients at high risk for aspiration who require more than 3 weeks of enteral nutrition support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Cech
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mullen
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Crooks
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D016638:Critical Illness; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007582:Jejunostomy / Q000379:methods; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors