Small Feeding Tube Research Articles

Intraoperative Dye Test in Total Laryngectomy: A Technique to Reduce the Incidence of Pharyngocutaneous Fistula.

Background:Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) could complicate laryngectomy in advanced disease. The cause is multifactorial, and this may include poor technique in pharyngeal repair. Intraoperative assessment of the repaired mucosa integrity for adequate closure may reduce PCF, but this is not routinely done.Objective:The objective of this study is to describe a novel technique that has been successfully used to ascertain intraoperative pharyngeal repair integrity.Methods:Thirty-one patients who had total laryngectomy and pharyngeal reconstruction for locally advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were studied. Connell extramucosal suturing technique was used for the mucosal repair. Thereafter, a small feeding tube was introduced through the oral cavity to the site of the pharyngeal repair, and diluted methylene-blue dye was injected through it while digitally occluding the cervical esophagus. Whenever leakage of the dye was seen, the leakage site (s) was repaired. Thereafter, the dye test would be repeated to confirm the integrity of the repair.Results:Their mean age was 53.4 ± 10.9 years. Seven (22.6%) patients had Stage 3 disease and 24 (77.4%) had Stage 4 disease. All the patients had neck dissection, whereas 3 (9.7%) patients had salvage laryngectomy postradiotherapy. Dye test was performed intraoperatively for all the patients and leakages were seen in 4 (12.9%) patients which were successfully repaired. Oral feeding was commenced on the fifth postoperative day, and none of the patients had PCF.Conclusion:Performing a dye test intraoperatively helps detect the point of leakage and immediate repair will prevent PCF.

A Strategy to Reduce Critical Cardiorespiratory Alarms due to Intermittent Enteral Feeding of Preterm Neonates in Intensive Care.

BackgroundMany preterm infants require enteral feeding as they cannot coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. In enteral feeding, milk feeds are delivered through a small feeding tube passed via the nose or mouth into the stomach. Intermittent milk feeds may either be administered using a syringe to gently push milk into the infant’s stomach (push feed) or milk can be poured into a syringe attached to the tube and allowed to drip in by gravity (gravity feed). This practice of enteral feeding is common in neonatal intensive care units. There is, however, no evidence in the literature to recommend the use of one method of feeding over the other.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate which of the two methods of feeding is physiologically better tolerated by infants, as measured by the incidence of critical cardiorespiratory alarms during and immediately after feeding.MethodsWe conducted a prospectively designed observational study with records of all feeding episodes in infants of gestational age less than 30 weeks at birth and with a minimum enteral intake of 100 mL/kg/day. In total, 2140 enteral feeding episodes were noted from 25 infants over 308 infant-days with records for several characteristics of the infants (eg, gestational age), feeding (eg, the position of infants), and of nursing-care events before feeding (eg, diapering). Logistic regression with mixed effects was used to model cardiorespiratory alarms for the push and gravity methods of feeding.ResultsAfter adjustments were made for all confounding variables, the position of infants was found to be statistically significant in changing the outcome of critical alarms for the two methods of feeding (P=.02). For infants in the lateral position, push feeds led to 40% more instances of one or more critical cardiorespiratory alarms in comparison with the gravity method. Both methods of feeding created a statistically comparable number of alarms for infants in the prone position.ConclusionsThis study provides objective data that may assist in optimizing enteral feeding protocols for premature infants. The incidence of critical cardiorespiratory alarms for infants in the lateral position can be lowered by the use of gravity instead of push feeding. No differences were observed between the two types of feeding when infants were in the prone position.

Hepatic resection for bile duct injury: A case report

Background: Bile duct injury is a serious complication following both open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The extent of injury may be severe enough to consider biliary reconstruction procedures like Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy or even hepatectomy in rare instances for the definitive management.Case: A 56 year old female, who underwent open cholecystectomy and detected bile duct injury intraoperatively. Small feeding tube was placed in the bile duct, exteriorized and patient was referred to our center for further management. Liver function tests at presentation revealed cholestatic patterns of liver derangement but the patient did not show any signs suggestive of sepsis. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography revealed complete stricture of common hepatic duct. Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography revealed Bismuth type 4 bile duct stricture. The plan was to perform a bilateral hepaticojejunostomy, however, because of the very difficult anatomy and failure to identify the right duct, right hepatectomy with left duct hepaticojejunostomy was performed as a definitive management for her type IV bile duct injury. The patient had an uneventful post-operative course.Conclusion: Infrequently, liver resection remains an important therapeutic option in cases of complicated and major forms of bile duct injuries where the bilateral biliary reconstruction is not feasible.

Traumatic Perforation of the Lamina Cribrosa During Nasal Intubation of a Preterm Infant

Traumatic perforation of the lamina cribrosa and penetration of the brain occurred during nasotracheal intubation of a preterm infant requiring resuscitation. This rare complication is specifically associated with the nasal route of intubation. The complication resulted in significant morbidity. The infant developed an extensive intracranial hemorrhage and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus that required ventricular drainage. We recommend that nasotracheal intubation be performed with utmost care. We confirm Cameron and Lupton's recommendation of using a small feeding tube over which to slide the endotracheal tube. Despite extensive iatrogenic damage, the patient's neurodevelopmental follow-up at 2 years 9 months appeared relatively mild.

Use of small-bore feeding tubes: successes and failures

Early enteral nutrition is the preferred option for feeding patients who cannot meet their nutrient requirements orally. This article reviews complications associated with small-bore feeding tube insertion and potential methods to promote safe gastric or postpyloric placement. We review the available bedside methods to check the position of the feeding tube and identify inadvertent misplacements. Airway misplacement rates of small feeding tubes are considerable. Bedside methods (auscultation, pH, aspirate appearance, air bubbling, external length of the tube, etc.) to confirm the position of a newly inserted small-bore feeding tube have limited scientific basis. Radiographic confirmation therefore continues to be the most accurate method to ascertain tube position. Fluoroscopic and endoscopic methods are reliable but costly and are not available in many hospitals. Rigid protocols to place feeding tubes along with new emerging technology such as CO2 colorimetric paper and tubes coupled with signaling devices are promising candidates to substitute for the blind placement method. The risk of misplacement with blind bedside methods for small-bore feeding tube insertion requires a change in hospital protocols.

Urological complications in 980 consecutive patients with renal transplantation

To present the urological complications of renal transplantations performed in the last 14 years at one center and to briefly explain a modified method of Lich-Gregoir ureteroneocystostomy. The data of 980 patients receiving kidney transplants at the authors' institution from April 1991 to February 2004 were reviewed in a retrospective prospective study. In particular, surgical techniques and urological complications were noted. A total of 980 patients had received kidney transplantation. Extravesical ureteroneocystostomy (Lich-Gregoir method) was used in the first 480 patients (group A). In the subsequent 500 patients, the authors' modified method of extravesical ureteroneocystostomy, using single layer anastomosis and small feeding tubes as stent, was used (group B). Overall urological complication rate was 2.8% (28 patients), including leakage (13 patients, 1.3%), stenosis (seven, 0.7%), obstruction (one, 0.1%), distal ureter necrosis (four, 0.4%), pelvocalyceal fistula (two, 0.2%) and implantation of ureter into the peritoneum (one, 0.1%). Urological complications were significantly more common in group A compared to group B (16, 3.3% and 9, 1.8%, respectively; P < 0.05). Preserving the adventitia, fat and blood supply of the ureter by delicate dissection of the ureter during donor nephrectomy, short ureters, and fixation of the adventitia, fat and blood supply of the ureter to the bladder wall, to prevent kinking or twisting, are important factors in decreasing urological complications. Additionally, the authors' method of ureteroneocystostomy is also effective in decreasing the incidence of ureteric complications.

An Enhanced Method of Pediatric Urine Collection: Negative Pressure Bladder Catheterization (NPBC)

While bladder catheterization with a small feeding tube is an accepted method for pediatric urine collection, it is believed that syringe applied negative pressure may cause bladder wall trauma. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate pediatric bladder trauma with applied negative pressure bladder catheterization (NPBC). METHODS: Patients were randomized into control or NPBC groups. Controls were catheterized allowing urine to flow freely to gravity. NPBC patients had minimal negative pressure ( 3 RBCs/HPF. CONCLUSIONS: No significant hematuria was induced by NPBC. NPBC is a safe and effective technique to obtain a sterile urine specimen during pediatric bladder catheterization.

Perinatal management of posterior urethral valves detected by prenatal ultrasonography

Posterior urethral valves (PUV) are the most common cause of mechanical infravesical obstruction in children. It is emphasized that this disorder has broad spectrum of severity, and patients presenting signs and symptoms in neonates or early infancy are at high risks for renal failure. The clinical pictures changed dramatically with the introduction of prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography (USG). We report on perinatal management of PUV detected by prenatal USG, especially stressing on the significance of early delivery in risky fetuses. From 1987 to 1996, we treated 6 patients with PUVs who had been detected by prenatal USG. Fetal hydronephrosis was noticed between 26 to 29 weeks of gestation. Oligohydramnios was apparent at the same weeks of the detection or 2 to 7 weeks later. Fetal conference including obstetrician, neonatologist, anesthesist and urologist was taken place to discuss the date and mode of delivery. Among the patients, 5 were induced early delivery around 30 weeks of gestation. After birth, serum Cr was monitored, and small feeding tube was placed in the urethra. Primary valve ablation was indicated in 4 patients whose Cr returned to near normal after the urethral drainage. One required upper tract diversion because of the continuous elevation of Cr levels. Of the patients, one died of respiratory failure from lung hypoplasia. Ventilation support was needed in 3 patients. The patient who required upper tract division went into ESRF when he was 6 months old. Except for this patient, renal function improved in 4 patients with nadir Cr levels between 0.4 mg/dl to 0.6 mg/dl. Transurethral valve ablation was done on 5 patient between 16th to 40th days after birth with the lowest body weight at operation of 1450 g. Cystometric studies in neonatal periods showed small capacity, and hypertonic bladder in all patients. Valve ablation and administration of anticholinergics improved bladder function. Prenatal ultrasonography clearly demonstrate the pathological features of the fetus with PUVs. Because oligohydramnios started in the early 3rd trimester indicates acute renal failure of the fetus, early delivery followed by emergency treatment may salvage the most severe type of this entity.

In situ perfusion by retrograde cannulation of a tumor artery for nephron-sparing surgery.

Although ice slush cooling or ex situ perfusion with bench surgery is most widely used for protecting ischemic renal damage which possibly accompanies complicated nephron-sparing surgery, each has its own disadvantages. The former does not allow excessively long ischemia and the latter requires complicated procedures as autotransplantation. In order to mitigate against these problems, we devised a novel method of in situ renal perfusion with intracellular hyperosmolar solution. One renal segmental artery mainly supplying a tumor was isolated and cannulated with a small feeding tube. The tube was introduced through a small arteriotomy incision directed towards the proximal side, advanced until its tip remained in the main or first branch of the renal artery, and then it was anchored to that artery. After the main renal artery and vein were clamped, the kidney was perfused with cold Euro-Collins' solution through the tube, while the venous blood and perfusate were drained from the left gonadal vein or small venotomy incision of the right renal vein. In one case of renal cell carcinoma and three cases of angiomyolipoma, two of which ruptured, nephron-sparing surgery was carried out under in situ hyperosmolar perfusion. Ischemic time of these four cases was an average of 96 minutes, varying from 45 to 145 minutes. All the kidneys functioned well postoperatively. The method presented here is very simple, requires no unusual dexterity and safely allows for a long period of renal ischemia. This method is best indicated in cases where simple clamping of the renal pedicle with ice-slush cooling appears insufficient, yet ex situ surgery with autotransplantation seems excessive.

Retrograde colostomy and ileostomy enemas in neonates and infants: a simple combination of techniques.

A combination of previously known techniques for retrograde opacification of ileostomies and colostomies has been used successfully in neonates and infants. This combination of techniques used on very small stomas allows easy retrograde opacification of bowel. The technique uses a small feeding tube, a larger Foley catheter with an inflatable balloon, and a Lucite compression device, the construction and use of which are discussed here.

A convenient method for inserting small feeding tubes.

A convenient method for inserting small feeding tubes.

Simple method for insertion of small feeding tube.

FREQUENTLY seen on medical and surgical wards are patients who have increased nutritional demands for tissue production and for the maintenance of life. Some examples of these situations are patients who have had severe debilitation before and after operation, long standing wasting diseases, coma and bulbar poliomyelitis with paralysis of the swallowing apparatus. Intravenous feedings with these conditions after a prolonged period become ineffectual in terms of nutritional intake and in the mechanical difficulties that eventually arise.It has been generally accepted that feeding through an indwelling nasogastric tube is satisfactory when the situation so demands. Various-sized Levin tubes are . . .