Enteral Feeding Tube

Indications for Use:

?Enteral Feeding Tubes are intended for use in those patients who require intermittent or continuous tube feeding via the nasogastric or nasoenteric route.  The tubes should be inserted into the patient’s stomach to flush and gastrointestinal decompression. 

? ?Contraindications: 

?1. Gastrointestinal failure  

?2. Ileus 

?3. Metabolic coma    

?4. Esophageal bleeding 

?5. Acute abdomen

?Types: pediatric vs adult; gastric vs small bowel

?Sizes: smaller sizes (5-8 Fr) for commercial products delivered via pump; larger sizes for viscous, blenderized, fiber-containing formulas, gravity and bolus feedings

?Weighted vs. unweighted: it was once thought that weighted tubes facilitated transpyloric passage; now dictated by personal preference

?Stylet vs. no stylet: stylet facilitates tube placement beyond the pylorus for small, flexible tubes

?Composition: silicone and polyurethane most comfortable