Transpyloric enteral feeding in the postoperative of cardiac surgery in children

PurposeThe aim of this study is to assess the utility of transpyloric enteral nutrition in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery in children.MethodsA prospective, observational study was performed on children receiving transpyloric enteral nutrition in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. The type of nutrition, duration, tolerance, and complications were studied.ResultsChildren (212) between the ages of 3 days and 17 years received transpyloric enteral nutrition in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. The duration of the transpyloric feeding was 16 ± 23.8 days, and the maximum calorie delivery was 85.1 ± 25.7 kcal/kg/d. Tolerance to nutrition was good and was not affected by the infusion of vasoactive drugs, sedatives, or muscle relaxants. Of the study population, 14.6% presented with gastrointestinal complications, 9.4% with abdominal distension and/or excessive gastric residue, and 7.5% with diarrhea. Nutrition was withdrawn in 2.4% of the patients because of gastrointestinal complications. Mortality was not related to any characteristic of the nutrition or to gastrointestinal complications.ConclusionsTranspyloric enteral nutrition is useful and is a simple feeding method that enables a high calorie delivery to be provided with few complications in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery in children, including those receiving high doses of sedatives and muscle relaxants.