Percutaneous Needle Pharyngostomy

Pharyngostomy is a technique of proven usefulness in patients requiring extra oral enteric access. Techniques to perform this have required an operating room, general anesthesia, and the associated risks. We have developed a technique for needle pharyngostomy that can be performed at the bedside of an awake patient. We utilize a central venous catheter tray and a small bore feeding tube to do this procedure. We have performed this on 17 patients without a procedural complication. This form of enteric access has allowed total nutritional support for up to 2 yr. Two late infections at the pharyngostomy site have occurred; both were easily controlled with oral antibiotics. This technique is recommended for patients who repeatedly pull out feeding tubes or are planning home enteral nutrition. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 9 :68–70, 1985)