Eight malnourished children with neuromuscular spinal deformity were treated with jejunostomy tubes for supplemental feeding to attain appropriate weight before reconstructive surgery. All patients had significant gastro-esophageal reflux and had failed to gain weight during an eight-month oral supplementation program. There were no complications associated with the placement or use of the jejunostomy feeding tubes and all patients gained weight in a safe and predictable fashion, had successful spinal fusion and have maintained satisfactory weight at follow-up. Jejunostomy feeding is a safe and effective method of correcting malnutrition in patients with spinal deformity which precludes gastrostomy and Nissen fundoplication.
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