Nasojejunal feeding tube placement using fluoroscopic guidance: technique and clinical experience in dogs

Abstract

AbstractObjective: To briefly review the indications for direct intestinal feedings and describe a fluoroscopically guided technique for the placement of nasojejunal (NJ) feeding tubes in dogs. Clinical experience using the described technique is reported in 27 dogs.Data sources: Current human and veterinary literature. Original case data from client owned animals that have undergone fluoroscopically placed NJ feeding tubes for nutritional supplementation.Summary: The described technique was used for short‐term enteral nutritional therapy (1–5 days). In the fluoroscopic NJ placement technique, 17 of 20 tubes advanced into the jejunum remained in place until intentional removal whereas 6 of 7 tubes advanced only to the duodenum moved retrograde. Complications included bile leakage from the externalized opening of the tube, retrograde movement of the tube when placement was proximal to the caudal duodenal flexure, sneezing, and nasal discharge.Conclusions: Clinical experience using NJ feeding tube placement under fluoroscopic guidance has revealed the technique to be a well‐tolerated and reasonably reliable method of providing minimally invasive short‐term direct intestinal feeding in canine patients.