Bedside postpyloric placement of weighted feeding tubes.

A pilot study to evaluate a technique for the bedside placement of small-bore, weighted feeding tubes past the pylorus in critically ill patients is described. The technique involves the use of a #8 or #10 French small-bore, tungsten-weighted feeding tube, specific patient positioning, and defined insertion techniques, including gastric distention with air. The tubes were placed at the bedside in the intensive care unit by the nutrition support team nurse. Successful postpyloric placement was achieved in 85 (83%) of 103 patients. Approximate time for successful insertion was 30 minutes. A follow-up study to define factors influencing success or failure of this technique is planned.