A best evidence topic in surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether, in patients undergoing an oesophagectomy for cancer, immediate postoperative enteral feeding (via percutaneous jejunostomy or nasojejunostomy) provides better patient outcomes as compared to waiting until oral feeding can be instituted. Four randomized controlled trials represent...

The history of enteral feeding goes back about 3,500 years to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, who infused nutrient solutions into the rectum to treat various bowel disorders. Over the centuries, experimentation and research have contributed to a greater understanding of nutrient requirements; methods to more accurately access the gastrointestinal tract; development of new materials to use in ...

Although the importance of enteral nutrition in the treatment of intestinal failure is well recognized, the optimal regime is still a matter of debate and clinicians often use different treatment algorithms. Therefore, the aim of this review was to present an overview of currently available evidence on the role of enteral nutrition in children with intestinal failure and to give evidence-based ...

Malnutrition and weight loss, due to suboptimal oral intake, are common in patients with neurological disorders and are associated with increased morbidity, disability and mortality. The nutritional management of neurological patients is crucial, and enteral feeding is commonly used to provide nutritional support. This review presents the different methods of enteral tube feeding and discusses ...

Jejunostomy for enteral feeding is excellent for patients who cannot manage oral intake, with a low complication rate. A Foley catheter, Ryle tube, Kerh tube or needle-catheter (Jejuno-Cath®) are commonly used. It is a safe procedure but it can lead to severe complications. We present two cases: firstly, an 80 year old male who was admitted to the Emergency Room with a bowel perforation seconda...

Objective To determine the effect of early enteral feeding on the outcome of critically ill medical patients whose hemodynamic condition is unstable. Methods Prospectively collected data in a multi-institutional medical intensive care unit database were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 1174 patients were identified who required mechanical ventilation for more than 2 days and were treated wi...

Numerous procedures have been developed to provide adequate enteral nutrition to patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Previously, operative placement of a feeding gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube was the accepted means of gaining chronic enteral access. However, improved technology and experience with endoscopic techniques have quickly replaced primary operative placement of enteral access....

The bioavailability of ciprofloxacin after its administration through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube was studied in six healthy volunteers. Each subject received, on separate occasions, an intact 750-mg ciprofloxacin tablet, a crushed tablet as a suspension through an NG tube, and a crushed tablet as a suspension through an NG tube while receiving enteral feeding. No statistically significant ...