Bacterial contamination of continuously infused enteral alimentation with needle catheter jejunostomy--clinical implications.

The administration of elemental diet through fine needle catheter jejunostomy is becoming a common alternative route for postoperative feedings. The current review describes a septic syndrome which has been attributed to contamination of these feedings. The authors discuss a number of patient reports, as well as the etiology of the septic-like syndrome. Recommendations for the elimination of this syndrome are made and further review of patients during the course of changes in technique is described.