[Nasojejunal enteral feeding tubes in critically ill patients. Successful placement without technical assistance].

Background: Critically ill patients with early enteral feeding seem to profit from post-pyloric administration. Two feeding tubes were studied that, due to their construction, are able to move into the duodenum without the necessity of technical support. The duration until successful positioning, time until total enteral feeding and possible complications were compared.

Patients And Method: Patients with naso-gastric tubes and early enteral feeding, who had an increased reflux despite head of bed elevation and prokinetic drugs, were randomly assigned to either a Tiger tube (Cook) or a Bengmark tube (Pfrimmer Nutricia).

Results: A total of 28 patients from the surgical intensive care ward were included. Of the 16 Tiger tubes 14 could be successfully placed but only 2 out of the 12 Bengmark tubes. With Tiger tubes total enteral feeding was established within 6 days (median), with Bengmark tubes within 4 days.

Conclusion: In comparison to the Bengmark tube the Tiger tube has a higher success rate in terms of positioning in intensive care patients with impaired abdominal motility.