Nasojejunal tube, jejunostomy tube, and fine needle catheter jejunostomy effects after esophagectomy

Background To analyze and compare the effect of nasojejunal tube placement (NTP), jejunostomy tube placement (JTP), and fine needle catheter jejunostomy (FNCJ) after esophagectomy. Methods Herein, 159 patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy were retrospectively analyzed and divided into the following groups: the NTP group (n = 68), JTP group (n = 51), and FNCJ group (n = 40). The operation time, complication rate, average time to start a liquid diet, and average length of hospital stay were compared among the three groups. Results The complication rate was significantly higher in the NTP group than in the two other groups ( P  < 0.05), and it did not statistically significantly differ between the JTP and FNCJ groups ( P  > 0.05). The tube placement time and average length of hospital stay were also significantly longer in the NTP group than in the two other groups ( P  < 0.05). The NTP group was associated with significantly longer tube placement time, average length of hospital stay, and average time to start a liquid diet ( P  < 0.05). The operation time was significantly longer in the JTP group than in the FNCJ group ( P  < 0.05). The average time to start a liquid diet and length of hospital stay were slightly longer in the JTP group than in the FNCJ group ( P  > 0.05). Conclusions NTP showed distinct advantages and disadvantages compared with JTP and FNCJ. When selecting the feeding method, comprehensive consideration should be given to the patient’s specific condition.