Complications of surgical feeding jejunostomy in trauma patients

Objective: To determine the complication rate of feeding jejunostomy (FJ) performed as an adjunct to trauma celiotomy, Methods: Retrospective analysis of 222 patients from January of 1988 to May of 1998, Results: Thirty-seven total FJ-related complications occurred in 22 patients (10%), Major FJ-related complications occurred in nine patients (4%): two small bowel perforations, two small bowel volvuli with infarction, two intraperitoneal leaks, and three small bowel necroses, Patients suffering major FJ-related complications were similar to those without complications, except for the FJ type. Patients with major FJ-related complications were more likely to have had a Witzel tube jejunostomy than a needle catheter jejunostomy (p = 0.03). Three deaths were related to major FJ complications, for a FJ-related mortality rate of 1.4%. Conclusions: FJ has a major complication rate of 4% in severely injured patients. Major complications occur more frequently with larger, Witzel-type tubes. Needle catheter jejunostomy appears to be a safer method of surgical jejunal access in trauma patients.