Jejunostomy. A rarely indicated procedure.

Jejunostomy is an alternative for alimentation in patients who cannot be fed orally. Seventy-three patients from the Medical College of Wisconsin Hospitals, Milwaukee, who underwent jejunostomy for gastrointestinal tract obstruction or dysfunction (28 patients), carcinoma (23 patients), neurologic disorders (13 patients), and other indications (nine patients) by the Stamm (46 patients), Witzel (17 patients), and Maydl (nine patients) techniques were studied. Forty-four patients survived and were discharged, while 29 died in the hospital. Fifty-three complications were documented among 34 patients. The jejunostomy was actually used for feeding in only 48 patients, and only 18 were discharged while receiving maintenance enterostomy feedings. Seven patients died as a direct result of complications of the jejunostomy. Jejunostomy is not an innocuous procedure; it carries a substantial risk of death and complications. Jejunostomy should be performed for alimentation only in patients with clear indications and a high potential for long-term use.