To the Editor.–The technique of needle-catheter jejunostomy is receiving increasing acceptance as a means of delivery for total enteral nutrition (TEN) in the postoperative patient.1,2 Another use is as a means of access for administration of fluids.
It is difficult to find appropriate sites for venous infusion in obese patients who undergo surgery. We have used needle-catheter jejunostomy to provide access in them.
Between July 1979 and December 1980, 70 patients had a needle-catheter jejunostomy placed solely for fluid access. The technique used has been previously discussed.1,2 Sixty of these procedures were in patients operated on for obesity (gastric stapling), and ten were placed for other access difficulties (such as drug abuse). In the patients undergoing operations for obesity, for virtually the entire postoperative course fluids were infused solely through the needle-catheter jejunostomy. A peripheral venous catheter was placed with the patient under anesthesia, but was used