Clinically Significant Pneumatosis Intestinalis with Postoperative Enteral Feedings by Needle Catheter Jejunostomy: An Unusual Complication*

ABSTRACT. We evaluated the incidence of clinically signif-icant pneumatosis intestinalis and intestinal necrosis with the use of needle catheter jejunostomy in 217 consecutive patients who had undergone complicated abdominal operations or se-lected bariatric procedures. The needle catheter jejunostomy was used to deliver immediate postoperative nutrition, main-tenance, and replacement fluids, and selected medications. In this group, no serious complications requiring surgical inter-vention were related to the use of needle catheter jejunostomies. Clinically significant pneumatosis intestinalis was encountered in two of 217 patients (1%). With the needle catheter jejunos-tomy in place, both patients improved rapidly when enteral feedings were discontinued and parenteral antibiotics were administered. None of the 217 patients developed ischemic intestinal necrosis. We conclude that 1) clinically significan