Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy: a case series in pediatric patients.
BACKGROUND
Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) is a well-known approach to deliver postpyloric enteral nutrition support to individuals who cannot tolerate gastric feeding. DPEJ addresses many of the shortcomings of jejunal feeding tubes placed through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes. The safety and efficacy of DPEJ in adults has been previously reported. There are no reports on the use of DPEJ in pediatric patients.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to report on 5 pediatric patients who underwent DPEJ placement between January 2000 and January 2003 over the available follow-up periods.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
University of Utah Health Sciences Center and the Medical University of South Carolina.


METHODS
Five patients, age range 4 to 17 years.


METHODS
Rate of successful tube placement, major and minor complications, and outcomes including weight gain and recurrent aspiration after DPEJ placement.


RESULTS
All 5 attempted DPEJs were placed successfully with 2 minor complications of peristomal leakage and peristomal skin infection. One DPEJ was replaced 2 years after placement because of fungal degradation. The mean weight gain among all patients was 10.3 kg in a mean of 22.6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Retrospective, small series.


CONCLUSIONS
DPEJ placement appears to be a safe and effective approach to enteral nutritional support in pediatric patients requiring long-term access to the jejunum. No major complications occurred and all patients gained weight after tube placement.
Virnig
Daniel J
DJ
Division of Gastroenterology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA.
Frech
Edward J
EJ
Delegge
Mark H
MH
Fang
John C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007582:Jejunostomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies