From the Guidelines
Administering coffee or other non-medical liquids through a jejunostomy (jej) tube is not recommended due to the potential for complications, and patients should consult their healthcare provider before attempting to do so. The administration of non-medical liquids, such as coffee, through a jej tube can cause irritation to the jejunum due to its acidity and caffeine content, potentially leading to cramping, diarrhea, or discomfort 1. Additionally, the jej tube bypasses the stomach, which normally acts as a buffer for acidic substances, making direct jejunal administration more likely to cause irritation.
Some key considerations for patients with a jej tube include:
- Limiting the oral intake of low sodium, hypotonic, and hypertonic solutions to reduce output in patients with net-secretion and high output jejunostomy 1
- Routine water flushing after feedings to prevent tube occlusion, especially in small-caliber tubes like jejunostomies 1
- Avoiding the use of soda or other carbonated drinks to unclog the tube due to the risk of tube contamination with bacteria 1
If administration of non-medical liquids is necessary, the liquid should be strained thoroughly to remove all particles, diluted appropriately, and administered slowly to prevent tube clogging, gastrointestinal distress, or other adverse reactions. Patients should discuss this with their healthcare provider, who can provide personalized guidance based on the patient's specific medical condition, the type of tube in place, and individual tolerance factors 1. The healthcare team may recommend specific dilution ratios, administration rates, and monitoring protocols to ensure safety if such administration is deemed appropriate.
From the Research
Protocols for Safely Administering Coffee and Other Non-Medical Liquids
There are no specific research papers that provide protocols for safely administering coffee and other non-medical liquids through a jejunal (jejunostomy) tube. However, some studies provide general information on jejunal feeding and nutrition.
Jejunal Feeding and Nutrition
- Jejunal feeding is an acceptable alternative to parenteral nutritional support, as it utilizes the gastrointestinal tract and can minimize some of the major adverse effects of total intravenous nutrition 2.
- The timing, composition, and metabolic effects of jejunal nutrient infusions are the subject of continuing debate and study 2.
- Jejunostomy is a surgical procedure by which a tube is situated in the lumen of the proximal jejunum, primarily to administer nutrition 3.
- The absorption of elemental and complex nutritional solutions during a continuous jejunal perfusion in man has been studied, and the results show that the absorption of calories is similar for both solutions 4.
Complications and Risks
- The complications seen with jejunostomy can be mechanical, infectious, gastrointestinal, or metabolic 3.
- The rate of technical complications of the Witzel longitudinal technique is 2.1%, and the rate of complications for other techniques varies 3.
- The benefits of jejunostomy justify the risks, but the ideal technique depends on the material resources and the experience of the surgeon 3.
Comparison of Nasoenteric Tube and Jejunostomy
- A meta-analysis compared nasoenteric tube and jejunostomy for enteral nutrition feeding following major upper gastrointestinal operations, and found that the nasoenteric group had a shorter length of hospital stay, duration of enteral nutrition, and time to resumption of normal oral intake 5.
- The risk of tube dislodgement was increased in the nasoenteric group, while the risk of tube leakage was increased in the jejunostomy group 5.