The administration of elemental diet through fine needle catheter jejunostomy is becoming a common alternative route for postoperative feedings. The current review describes a septic syndrome which has been attributed to contamination of these feedings. The authors discuss a number of patient reports, as well as the etiology of the septic‐like syndrome. Recommendations for the elimination of this syndrome are made and further review of patients during the course of changes in technique is described.(Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition8:30–33, 1983)