Unclogging Feeding Tubes with Pancreatic Enzyme
Abstract
Letters to EditorUnclogging Feeding Tubes with Pancreatic Enzyme SAGE Publications, Inc.1990 10.1177/0148607190014006668 A. Bommarito R.PH. Saginaw General Hospital 1447 N. Harrison Street Saginaw, MI 48602 D. Boysen M.D. Saginaw General Hospital 1447 N. Harrison Street Saginaw, MI 48602 M. Heinzelman M.D. Saginaw General Hospital 1447 N. Harrison Street Saginaw, MI 48602 To the Editor: We read with interest the paper on occlusion of small- bore feeding tubes by Dr. Marcuard and Karen S. Stegall, B. S.' We support timely and inexpensive removal of occlusions in enteral feeding tubes, but we take strong exception to the stated major differences in methods. We state in the Intro-Reducer method, obstruction is best cleared by using hot water with a back-and-forth motion to dislodge and dissolve the occlusion.' Also, from our experience we have found that hot tap water irrigation is expressed as advantageous in occlusions secondary to medication. The use of an enzyme solution was described in a permanent J-tube occluded for over 72 hr in example two of the paper, which in no way resembles the unclogging demonstrated in their report. The Intro-Reducer lets fluid irrigation work for you.' To illustrate the advantageous effects of using the Intro-Reducer apparatus and