A new method of placement of naso-jejunum feeding tube guided by electromagnetic positioning navigator

Objective To study the clinical application of electromagnetic positioning navigator assisted placement of nasojejunal feeding tube in early enteral nutrition for patients with critical illness. Methods Critically ill patients, who showed very high risks and could not withstand transferring for tube placement were selected as study subjects. The feeding tube with affiliated wire was inserted to jejunum guided by electromagnetic positioning navigator, and the site was confirmed by abdominal X-ray film or bedside ultrasound. The patients' vital signs, side effects and complications during and after the procedure were observed. Results Fifteen critically ill patients, aged 21-72 (mean 50.9±15.8) and with APACHEⅡ scores of 6-35 (mean 18.6±7.8), underwent this procedure. Of them 10 were undergoing mechanical ventilation, and 5 were given drugs to raise blood pressure. All the placement of feeding tubes were successfully. The intubation time was 5-42 minutes (mean 20.2min). Vital signs of all the patients were stable during the procedure, except for nausea 3 patients. No severe complications occurred. Conclusion The placement of naso-jejunal feeding tube guided by electromagnetic positioning navigator is easy to operate, safe and with high success rate, so it offers an effective route for early enteral nutrition for patients with critical illnesses. DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2015.10.12