Endoscopic placement of a novel feeding tube.
BACKGROUND
Complications of blind feeding tube (FT) placement include pneumothorax, pneumonia, empyema, and death. A safe and effective method of FT placement is desired. The Davis FT is a novel device that detachably couples to an ultrathin transnasal gastroscope. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Davis FT placement.


METHODS
Fifty consecutive patients requiring transpyloric enteral tube feeding underwent placement of the Davis FT. Placement efficacy was evaluated with postplacement radiographs. Patient demographics, route of tube placement, use of sedation, and complications were abstracted.


RESULTS
The Davis FT was placed successfully in 50 patients. The mean age of the cohort was 52 (+/- 18) years. Sixty-two percent (31/50) were men. The success rate of nonpulmonary placement was 100% (50/50), and the postpyloric success rate was 96% (48/50). IV sedation was used in 72% (36/50) of placements. Eighty-six percent (43/50) of tubes were placed transnasally. The majority (62%) of esophagogastroduodenoscopies and Davis FT placements was performed by a pulmonologist. Forty-four percent (22/50) of patients had an endotracheal tube, 20% (10/50) had a tracheotomy, and 36% (18/50) had no breathing tube at the time of Davis FT placement. There were no complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Transpyloric placement of the Davis FT is safe (100%) and effective (96%). The tube can be placed transorally or transnasally with or without sedation. The data suggest that postplacement radiographs are not necessary to confirm placement. Pulmonologists were successful in performing EGD and Davis FT placement.
Black
Hugh
H
Center for Voice and Swallowing, Department of Otolaryngology/HNS, University of California, Davis, 2521 Stockton Blvd, Ste 7200, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Yoneda
Ken
K
Millar
John
J
Allen
Jacqueline
J
Belafsky
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000379:methods*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome