The Needle Catheter Jejunostomy: a useful and cost-effective adjunct in bariatric surgery

The safety and efficacy of the needle catheter jejunostomy (NCJJ) is evaluated in 200 consecutive, prospectively studied gastric bypass procedure patients with a follow-up of 6 months to 9.5 years. The NCJJ was used in place of intravenous fluid administration from the first postoperative day to supplement oral fluids for 6 weeks postoperatively and for complete temporary supplementation in 16 patients with viral illness or pouch outlet obstruction, thus avoiding re-hospitalization for rehydration. We did not use X-ray confirmation of the catheter placement. Analysis revealed no major complications with no catheter dislodgement, associated intra-abdominal sepsis or late bowel obstruction. There were 24 (12%) subcutaneous infections, only four (2%) of which required minor incisions and drainage under local anesthesia. Risk factors for the infections were insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and the actual withdrawal of the NCJJ (50% of the infections occurred at this time). The NCJJ has been a safe, useful and cost-effective adjunct in the operative management of the morbidly obese patient.