Comparison of Feeding Jejunostomy Gastric Tube Jejunum After Esophageal Cancer Surgery.

Background: Jejunostomy is an essential route for nutritional support after esophageal cancer surgery. However, catheter-related complications may occur. This study compared the complications of feeding jejunostomy between gastric tube and jejunum after esophageal cancer surgery.

Patients And Methods: The records of 215 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent radical esophagectomy with retrosternal gastric tube reconstruction between January 2010 and November 2016 were examined. One hundred and thirty-three patients underwent feeding jejunostomy via gastric tube and 82 patients underwent the procedure via the jejunum, and their records were reviewed for catheter-related complications.

Results: Catheter-related complications occurred in five patients in the gastric tube group and 12 in the jejunum group (3.8% vs. 14.6%, p=0.005). Mechanical bowel obstruction requiring surgical therapy occurred in three patients in the jejunum group, but in none in the gastric tube group (p=0.026).

Conclusion: Feeding jejunostomy reconstruction via gastric tube appears to be a safe and useful procedure.