Feeding Tube Enterostomies in Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers

Abstract

AbstractEstablishment and maintenance of safe access is crucial for long-term enteral nutrition in patients with head-neck and esophagogastric cancers. Tube enterostomies such as gastrostomy and jejunostomy are being increasingly used with wider use of chemoradiation and adjuvant therapy following surgery. This article reviews the currently available enteral access techniques by the open and percutaneous route and their indications, safety, effectiveness and role in modern oncological practice.