Feeding Tube

A feeding tube is a medical device utilized to provide nutrition to individuals who cannot eat or drink through traditional means. It may be required for various reasons such as difficulty swallowing or eating disorders. Temporary tubes are inserted through the nose (nasogastric or NG tube) or mouth (orogastric or OG tube), while permanent ones are surgically placed into the stomach (gastric or G tube) or small intestine (jejunostomy or J tube) for long-term enteral nutrition support.

Feeding Tube Types:

Feeding tubes are used across various age groups based on the specific needs of individuals. The type of tube chosen depends on the reason for its use and the anticipated duration. They are categorized by their placement and the type of hardware involved in their use.

Types of feeding tubes include:

• Nasogastric tubes (NG): Inserted through the nose and into the stomach for short-term feeding and medication delivery during hospital stays.
• Nasojejunal tubes (NJT): Run from the nose to the jejunum (part of the small intestine), often used after pancreatic surgery or for small intestinal blockages.
• Nasoduodenal (ND) tubes: Go from the nose to the duodenum (another part of the small intestine).
• Orogastric (OG) tubes: Similar to nasogastric tubes but inserted through the mouth into the stomach for short-term use.
• Oroenteric tubes: Temporary tubes placed through the mouth into the small intestine.
• Gastric (G) tubes: Surgically inserted through the skin of the belly into the stomach, intended for longer-term tube feeding.
• Jejunostomy (JEJ, PEJ, or RIJ) tubes: Placed into the jejunum, often used after esophageal or stomach surgery.
• Percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes: Inserted with endoscopic surgery, utilizing a tiny camera.
• Radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG) or radiologically inserted jejunostomy tubes (RIJ): Placed using imaging, similar to an X-ray, during surgery.
• Percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy (PEG-J) tubes: Inserted through the skin into the stomach and then into the jejunum, suitable for conditions like severe gastric reflux disease (GERD) or after stomach removal.

The Feeding Tube Features and usage Tips:

• Tube material made from medical-grade materials like silicone or polyurethane. Must be biocompatible and non-reactive to body tissues.
• Some tubes have balloons or bumpers to secure them in place. Balloons are inflated with sterile water to prevent dislodgment.
• Radiopaque lines or markers aid in X-ray confirmation of tube placement.
• Equipped with connectors for syringe or feeding pump attachment....