Comparison of the use of a spiral nasojejunal tube and transendoscopic enteral tubing in washed microbiota transplantation via the mid-gut route

Background Methods for washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) through the mid-gut include transendoscopic enteral tubing (TET) and manual spiral nasojejunal tube (SNT) placement have not been studied. Methods This prospective interventional study was performed at a single centre. Patients were divided into the SNT and mid-gut TET groups based on their conditions and wishes. In the SNT group, an SNT was passively inserted into the stomach, and abdominal X-rays were taken within 24 h to confirm tube placement in the small intestine. In the mid-gut TET group, mid-gut TET was placed in the small intestine for gastroscopy. Data on the clinical efficacy of WMT, intubation time, cost, overall comfort score, adverse reactions, etc., were collected from the two groups. Results Sixty-three patients were included in the study (SNT group (n=40) and mid-gut TET group (n=23)). The clinical efficacy of WMT in the SNT and mid-gut TET groups was 90% and 95.7%, respectively (P=0.644). Compared with the mid-gut TET group, the SNT group showed a shorter operation time (120 s vs. 258 s, P=0.001) and a lower average cost (641.7 yuan vs. 1702.1 yuan, P=0.001). There was no significant difference in the overall comfort score or the incidence of common discomfort symptoms between the two groups. Conclusion The different implantation methods have different advantages; compared with mid-gut TET placement, manual SNT placement provides some benefits.