Tubefeeding

Tubefeeding is a medical procedure that provides nutrition to individuals who cannot obtain nutrition by mouth, are unable to swallow safely, or need nutritional supplementation. The state of being fed by a feeding tube is called enteral nutrition.

Indications

Tubefeeding is used to feed patients who cannot eat on their own, due to conditions such as stroke, cancer, anorexia nervosa, malnutrition, or dysphagia. It is also used in individuals with functional gastrointestinal tract but who are unable to ingest enough nutrients orally.

Types of feeding tubes

There are several types of feeding tubes, including:

• Nasogastric tube (NG tube)
• Nasoenteric tube (NE tube)
• Gastrostomy (G tube)
• Jejunostomy (J tube)
• Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG tube)

Procedure

The procedure for placing a feeding tube varies depending on the type of tube used. In general, the tube is inserted through the nose or directly into the abdomen, and then guided into the stomach or small intestine.

Complications

Possible complications of tubefeeding include infection, blockage of the tube, and dislodgement or migration of the tube.

See also

• Parenteral nutrition
• Malnutrition
• Dysphagia

Tubefeeding Resources
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