Avoidance of jejunostomy. A reliable method of naso-enteral tube placement after oesophageal surgery.

Nutritional maintenance after oesophageal surgery and during treatment of oesophageal disease is given high priority. A method of naso-enteral feeding tube placement suitable for these patient groups was evolved and studied prospectively. A standard nasogastric tube is used as a conduit for a guide-wire over which a soft, small-bone naso-enteral tube is threaded into position. Thirty patients underwent placement of such tubes postoperatively or during treatment of oesophageal disease. Placement and feeding was successful in all. Six patients developed controllable diarrhoea.