Evaluation of surgically placed gastrojejunostomy feeding tubes in critically ill dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate complications and outcomes associated with surgical placement of gastrojejunostomy feeding tubes in dogs with naturally occurring disease.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
26 dogs. Multiple preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were evaluated. Daily postoperative abdominal radiographic examinations were performed to determine the presence of the following mechanical tube complications: kinking, coiling, knotting, and migration. Tube stoma abnormalities (erythema, cellulitis, and discharge) were observed daily and recorded by use of a standardized visual analog grading scale. Additionally, presence of complications was compared with median survival times.


RESULTS
The most common indication for gastrojejunostomy tube placement was gastrointestinal disease (n = 11), with confirmed septic peritonitis in 8 of 11 dogs. Other indications for gastrojejunostomy tube placement included extrahepatic biliary surgery (n = 6) and pancreatic disease (9). Mean +/- SD surgical time required for tube placement was 26 +/- 14 minutes. Overall, mechanical tube complication rate was 46% (12/26), including coiling (7), migration (4), and kinking (2). Overall minor tube stoma complication rate was 77% (20/26) and included erythema (16), cellulitis (13), and discharge (17). Dislodgement or self-induced tube trauma resulted in accidental tube removal in 2 of 26 dogs, and inadvertent tube damage necessitated premature removal by the clinician in 1 of 26 dogs. Kaplan-Meier median survival time was 39 days with 13 of 26 dogs still alive.


CONCLUSIONS
Gastrojejunostomy tube placement affords flexibility in the postoperative nutritional regimen by allowing for postgastric feeding with simultaneous access to the stomach.
Cavanaugh
Ryan P
RP
Animal Medical Center, 510 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Kovak
Janet R
JR
Fischetti
Anthony J
AJ
Barton
Linda J
LJ
Bergman
Philip
P
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome