Endoscopic Insertion of Nasojejunal Feeding Tube at Bedside for Critically Ill Patients: Relationship between Tube Position and Intragastric Countercurrent of Contrast Medium

Background and Oblectives: We evaluated the success rate of endoscopically positioned nasojejunal feeding tubes and the intragastric countercurrent of contrast medium thereafter. Method: This retrospective observational study investigated patients who were admitted to a single intensive care unit and required endoscopic placement of a post-pyloric feeding tube between January 2010 and June 2016. The feeding tube was grasped with forceps via a transoral endoscope and inserted into the duodenum or jejunum. Thereafter, we assessed the position of the tube and the intragastric countercurrent using abdominal radiography with contrast medium. Results: The tube tip was inserted at the jejunum and the duodenal fourth portion in 55.8 and 33.6% of patients, respectively. The tip of the inserted tube had moved into the jejunum of 71.7% of patients by the following day. The countercurrent rate was significantly lower among patients with a tube inserted into the duodenal fourth portion or more distal than among those with tubes inserted more proximally (8.4 vs. 45.4%, p = 0.0022). Conclusions: The endoscopic insertion and positioning of a nasojejunal feeding tube seemed effective because the rate of tube insertion into the duodenal fourth portion or more distal was about 90%. The findings of intragastric countercurrents indicated that feeding tubes should be inserted into the duodenal fourth portion or beyond to prevent vomiting and the aspiration of enteral nutrients.