Laparoscopic gastric surgeries are routinely performed with use of a nasogastric tube to decompress the upper gastrointestinal tract. A distended upper gastrointestinal tract can complicate successful laparoscopic gastric surgery as the distention compromises not only the visual field but also the laparoscopic manipulation of the stomach. Since nasogastric intubation is not without risks, we have attempted laparoscopic-assisted gastric cancer surgeries without nasogastric tubes. In this article we describe a simple method of aspirating gastric contents using a 9 cm long 19-gauge needle inserted percutaneously during laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy. First, a 9 cm long 19-gauge disposable needle was introduced through the abdominal wall. This needle was then introduced to the stomach through the anterior wall and the stomach gases and fluids were aspirated by connecting the needle to suction. Thus, a collapsed upper gastrointestinal tract was easily obtained. We performed this procedure instead of nasogastric decompression on twenty-two patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic-assisted distal subtotal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection. The results were good with only one patient experiencing wound infection (4.5%) and one patient with postoperative acalculus cholecystitis (4.5%). There were no patients with either intraabdominal infection or anastomotic leakage and none of the patients needed postoperative nasogastric decompression, except the patient who experienced acaculus cholecystitis. Percutaneous needle aspiration is a very simple and efficient technique with little risk of postoperative complications. It can be used as an alternative to nasogastric tube decompression of the gastrointestinal tract for laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy.
Stomach Neoplasms/*surgery ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Laparoscopy/*methods ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal/*methods ; Intraoperative Period ; Humans ; Gastrectomy/*methods ; Female ; Decompression, Surgical/*methods ; Aged ; Adult

BACKGROUNDMost gastric cancer patients who undergo gastrectomy develop malnutrition. It is, therefore, crucial to establish an effective means to provide nutrition for these patients. To perform home enteral nutrition (EN) to ensure adequate nutritional intake in gastric cancer patients, we placed a jejunostomy catheter during gastric surgery. Most patients showed improved nutritional status.

METHODSTwenty-nine inpatients at our hospital underwent radical gastrectomy and jejunostomy from December 2002 to December 2007 and were designated as the jejunostomy group, and 32 matched patients without a jejunostomy tube were designated as the tube-free group. The jejunostomy group was treated with EN from 72 hours to 3 months postoperatively. The tube-free group did not receive EN. Data including preoperative and postoperative body weight, body mass index (BMI), nutrition risk screening (NRS) score, Karnofsky performance score (KPS), and laboratory biochemical indicators were documented respectively and compared.

RESULTSCompared with preoperative week 1, both groups showed decreased body weight and BMI at 3 months postoperatively. The weight loss in the jejunostomy group ((7.1 ± 3.3) kg) was significantly less than that in the tube-free group ((9.9 ± 3.1) kg). Similarly, BMI decreased by (2.4 ± 1.0) kg/m(2) in the jejunostomy group, which was significantly less than in the tube-free group ((3.2 ± 0.9) kg/m(2)). The number of patients with postoperative NRS ≥ 3 was decreased in the jejunostomy group, but was increased in the tube-free group, and this difference was significant. There were no significant differences between the two groups in total lymphocyte count, hemoglobin, albumin and prealbumin, and adverse drug effects.

CONCLUSIONSShort-term (3 months) EN supplementation via jejunostomy tube can reduce the risk of malnutrition and weight loss, and improve tolerance of chemotherapy. Tube feeding is reliable for achieving these goals because it is not important whether or not the patients have appetites.

Aged ; Body Weight ; Enteral Nutrition ; methods ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; methods ; Jejunostomy ; methods ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

For diagnosis and treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is useful method nowadays and its technically success rate is usually in about 90%-95% of patients with normal gastric and pancreaticobiliary anatomy. Recently ERCP is significantly challenging after intestinal reconstruction, particularly in patients who have undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD, classic Whipple’s operation) or pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) with reconstruction. PD and PPPD relate to numerous techniques have been presented for reconstruction of the digestive tract and pancreaticobiliary tree during the resection bilioenteric stricture commonly occurs later in the postoperative course and developed in 5-year cumulative probability of biliary stricture rate of 8.2% and pancreaticoenteric stricture of 4.6%. This complication was no difference in incidence between patients with benign or malignant disease. In PD or PPPD with reconstruction, short pancreatobiliary limb with biliojejunal anastomosis site is made usually, modestly success rate of intubation to blind loop and cannulation with conventional endoscope. However, in combined Reux-en-Y anastomosis, longer pancreatobiliary limb and additional Reux limb are obstacle to success intubation and cannulation by using conventional endoscope. In this situation, new designed enetroscope with dedicated accessories is efficient.
Catheterization ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopes ; Extremities ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Methods ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Trees

OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical value of percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) combined with nasojejunal tube for bile reinfusion and enteral nutrition for patients with malignant obstructive jaundice.

METHODSForty patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were randomly divided into bile reinfusion group (n=20) and exclusive external drainage group (control group, n=20), and the clinical data concerning the hepatic function, visceral protein and postoperative complications of the patients were collected.

RESULTSIn both of the two groups, the levels of ALT, AST, and TB-2 reduced significantly after the operation as compared with the preperative levels (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found in the postoperative hepatic function between the two groups (P>0.05). The postoperative levels of the visceral proteins such as ALB, TRF and PRE increased significantly after the operation (P<0.05), and the changes in ALB and PRE were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). TRF was significantly higher in bile reinfusion group than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONPTCD combined with bile reinfusion and early enteral nutrition via the nasojejunal tube may facilitate the recovery of hepatic function and visceral proteins in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile ; chemistry ; Drainage ; methods ; Enteral Nutrition ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; methods ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; therapy ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged

For a complete colonoscopic examination, a high intubation rate and a short intubation time have been demanded to colonoscopists, if possible. The aim of the present study was to compare these examination parameters, intubation time and rate, according to the length of colonoscope. A total of 507 healthy Korean subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: intermediate length adult-colonoscope (n=254) and long length adult-colonoscope (n=253). There were significant differences in cecal intubation time and in terminal ileal intubation rate according to the length of the colonoscope. Time-to-cecal intubation was shorter for the intermediate-scope group than for the long-scope group (234.2 +/- 115.0 sec vs 280.7 +/- 135.0 sec, P < 0.001). However, the success rate of terminal ileal intubation was higher in the long-scope group than in the intermediate-scope group (95.3% vs 84.3%, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in other colonoscopic parameters between the two groups. The intermediate length adult-colonoscope decreased the time to reach the cecum, whereas the long-scope showed a success rate of terminal ileal intubation. These findings suggest that it is reasonable to prepare and use these two types of colonoscope appropriate to the needs of the patient and examination, instead of employing only one type of colonoscope.
Adult ; Cecum ; *Colonoscopes ; Colonoscopy/*instrumentation/*methods ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Humans ; Ileum ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal/*instrumentation/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Questionnaires ; Time Factors

INTRODUCTIONThe exposed section of a traditional nasogastric (NG) tube can interfere with patients' social activities and thereby result in distress. This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a novel two-piece NG tube for patients with dysphagia.

METHODSTen patients with dysphagia were recruited between November 2011 and May 2012. Patients who were unconscious or in critical condition, had a traditional NG tube < 50 cm or > 60 cm in fixed length, or were unable to follow instructions or sign consent forms were excluded. The two-piece NG tube, which was placed in the patients for one week, comprised a removable external tube that can be joined to an internal tube via a T-connector, which was placed close to the naris. Events related to safety (e.g. nasal pressure sores, number of unplanned extubation, displacement and spontaneous migration of the NG tube, other unpredictable injuries) and effectiveness (e.g. liquid food spills, tube obstruction, perfusion rate, other adverse circumstances) were assessed daily.

RESULTSAll patients received feeding without complication using the two-piece NG tube and none experienced premature removal of the tube. No serious NG tube complications or malfunctions were observed.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study indicate that the two-piece NG feeding tube is a feasible option for patients with dysphagia. Future improvements to the connector may help enhance its performance. A rigorous randomised controlled trial to examine the effects of the two-piece NG tube on patients' quality of life and quality of medical care is being planned.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Deglutition Disorders ; therapy ; Enteral Nutrition ; instrumentation ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and feasibility of forgoing postoperative nasogastric tube decompression in minimally invasive esophagectomy for patients with esophagus carcinoma.

METHODSClinical data of 90 eligible patients who underwent elective minimally invasive esophagectomy in our department from January 2012 to May 2013 by the same surgical team were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 45 patients did not receive the use of postoperative nasogastric tube decompression and 45 patients received nasogastric tube decompression after operation. The observation parameters included the time to first flatus, the time to intake of fluid diet, the duration of postoperative hospitalization, pharyngalgia, vomiting, and postoperative complications, as well as the need for placing or replacing the nasogastric tube.

RESULTSThe incidence of pharyngalgia was significantly higher in nasogastric tube group (100% vs 44.4%, P<0.001). The time to intake of fluid diet [median 2 d(2-4 d) vs. median 9 d(7-20 d), P<0.001] and the time to first flatus [median 3 d(3-8 d) vs. median 6 d(3-9 d), P<0.001] were all significantly shorter in non-nasogastric tube group as compared to nasogastric tube group. Compared with the nasogastric tube group, the non-nasogastric tube group had shorter postoperative hospital stay (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications and vomiting between two groups.

CONCLUSIONMinimally invasive esophagectomy without the use of postoperative nasogastric tube decompression is safe and feasible, which can improve recovery and shorten postoperative hospital stay.

Decompression ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDThe placement of an enteral feeding tube is the foundation for providing enteral nutrition. But due to the anatomic complexity of the stomach and the duodenum, to a certain degree, there are some technical difficulties in the placement of postpyloric feeding tube, especially in critically ill patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of placing nasoenteral feeding tube with a transnasal ultrathin endoscope.

METHODSTotally 49 patients, involving 46 (93.9%) being American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) grade III (n = 3) and grade IV (n = 43), in whom a nasoenteral feeding tube was placed with a transnasal ultrathin endoscope by using over-the-wire technique. The related clinic information during the procedure including success rate, time required, complications and monitoring results of vital signs was analyzed.

RESULTSThe tube was placed at or beyond the Treitz's ligament in all of the 49 cases and the total tube-placement success rate was 100% including the one-time tube-placement success rate 95.9%. The tube placement was successful in 46 (93.9%) cases by transnasal method and 3 (6.1%) cases by transoral method. In the 47 cases whose one-time tube-placement success was obtained, the average procedure time was (6.2 +/- 5.6) minutes. For the 3 patients the endoscope inserted transorally due to the failure of transnasal insertion, the total procedure time was (12.3 +/- 2.1) minutes. In the period of nasoenteral tube placement, the average systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR) and average pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) did not show any significant change. Apart from 3 patients in whom nausea occurred in the procedure and 2 nasal bleeding, no any other acute complications arose.

CONCLUSIONThe method of placing nasoenteral feeding tube with the transnasal ultrathin endoscope is not only efficient, time-saving, technically simple, and painless to patients, but also safe especially in critically ill patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Critical Illness ; Endoscopes ; Enteral Nutrition ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vital Signs

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of placement of nasojejunal feeding tube and nasojejunal nutrition feeding in children with acute pancreatitis.

METHODTwenty-two patients (of whom 13 had severe acute pancreatitis and 9 acute mild pancreatitis) who needed nutritional intervention were selected. They were from Department of Gastroenterology and Surgery during the years 2009 - 2012, and they were at high nutritional risk after STONGkid nutrition risk screening. The average age of them was 5 - 15 years (9.1 years ± 2.8 years). Assisted by endoscopy, the nasojejunal feeding tube was placed in 22 of 24 patients (in 2 cases of recurrent pancreatitis the tubes were placed again after extubation). Besides the use of regular fasting, antacids, inhibitors of trypsin secretion, and anti-infective treatment, 23 cases of all children got nasojejunal nutrition treatment as well. The outcome measures included the success rate, complications of endoscope-assisted nasojejunal tube placement. The children's tolerance and nutrition indicators (weight, blood lymphocytes count, erythrocytes count, serum albumin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen) were observed before and after enteral nutrition therapy.

RESULTMalnutrition evaluation was done 24 times before treatment among 22 patients, incidence of malnutrition was 33% in 22 cases. Placement of nasojejunal tube placement was attempted for a total of 24 times and was successful on first placement in 22 cases, in two cases the placement was successful on the second placement, so the success rate of the first attempt for placement was 92%. No significant complications were observed in any of the cases. Twenty-three of 24 cases were given standardized enteral nutrition (one case was not given enteral nutrition therapy but underwent ERCP due to obstructive jaundice). Twenty-two of 23 cases could tolerate enteral nutrition well, only 1 case was unable to tolerate enteral nutrition due to the pancreas schizophrenia, paralytic ileus. The treatment of jejunal feeding success rate was 96%. The feeding duration was 2 - 74 d (27.0 d ± 18.3 d). The adverse reactions include plugging of the tube in two cases, constipation in two cases, five cases had abdominal pain, diarrhea in 2 cases, vomiting in 2 cases and 1 case of jejunum retention. No case had nasopharynx ulcers, gastrointestinal perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, re-feeding syndrome and infection etc. Blood erythrocytes count, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen were not significantly changed. Twenty of 23 cases were cured, 2 cases were improved and 1 case was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONEndoscope-assisted nasojejunal tube placement for children with acute pancreatitis is safe and feasible. Nasojejunal nutrition therapy is effective for acute pancreatitis patients who are at severe nutritional risk, especially for the improvement of the nutritional status of children.

Abdominal Pain ; etiology ; Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Enteral Nutrition ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Jejunum ; Male ; Malnutrition ; etiology ; therapy ; Pancreatitis ; therapy ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome ; Vomiting ; etiology

Oesophageal rupture is a life-threatening complication of balloon tamponade for bleeding oesophageal varices. We herein describe the clinical course and imaging findings in a 33-year-old Indian man who had a Sengstaken-Blakemore (SB) tube inserted for uncontrolled haematemesis, which was unfortunately complicated by malposition of the gastric balloon with resultant oesophageal rupture. The inflated SB tube gastric balloon was visualised within the right hemithorax on chest radiography after the SB tube insertion. Further evaluation of the thorax on computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of oesophageal rupture associated with right-sided haemopneumothorax. It is crucial for both the referring clinician and reporting radiologist to recognise early the imaging features of an incorrectly positioned SB tube gastric balloon, so as to ensure prompt intervention and a reduction in patient morbidity and mortality.
Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Esophagus ; injuries ; Gastric Balloon ; adverse effects ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; methods ; Rupture ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods