Effects of half-solid nutrients on gastroesophageal reflux in beagle dogs with or without cardioplasty and intrathoracic cardiopexy.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has become an important modality to provide enteral access for long-term nutritional support. Nevertheless, aspiration of liquid nutrients due to vomiting and reflux esophagitis caused by gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a significant problem associated with tube feeding by PEG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, gastrostomy as an access for enteral nutrition and esophagostomy for gastroesophageal pH and Bilitec monitoring were performed in eight beagle dogs, in which the influence of viscosity of an enteral formula on the degree of GER was investigated using a commercially available liquid meal and a nearly isocaloric half-solid diet that was prepared by adding a solution mixed with dextrin, pectin, and calcium lactate. Second, similar studies were accomplished in seven beagle dogs that underwent cardioplasty and intrathoracic cardiopexy (a model of GER disease [GERD]). RESULTS: There was no difference in the degree of GER evaluated by Bilitec monitoring between liquid and half-solid nutrients in eight normal dogs, whereas solidifying nutrients significantly reduced the frequency of reflux during the feeding periods (P=0.0180) and post-feeding periods (P=0.0277) in a model of GERD. CONCLUSION: The use of half-solid nutrients for enteral feeding reduced the frequency of reflux in a dog model of GERD.