A medical device called a feeding tube is used to give food to people who can't eat on their own, can't swallow safely, or need extra nutrients. Gavage, enteral feeding, or tube feeding refer to the condition in which a feeding tube is in use. In the case of chronic disabilities, placement may be permanent or only temporary for the treatment of acute conditions. In medical practice, a variety of feeding tubes are utilized. Most of the time, they are made of silicone or polyurethane. A feeding tube's diameter is measured in French units, and each French unit is equivalent to 13 mm. They are categorized according to their intended use and insertion site. To prevent or treat malnutrition, dozens of conditions may necessitate tube feeding (enteral nutrition). Prematurity, malnutrition, neurologic and neuromuscular disorders, inability to swallow, anatomical and post-surgical malformations of the mouth and esophagus, cancer, Sanfilippo syndrome, and digestive disorders are all conditions that require feeding tubes. For a wide range of conditions, feeding tubes are frequently utilized with excellent success in children. Some children use them for a short time until they can eat on their own, while others need them for a longer period of time. While some children rely solely on feeding tubes, others use them to supplement their oral diet.

Better outcomes are seen in individuals with advanced dementia who receive feeding assistance rather than feeding tubes. Feeding tubes do not protect these individuals from aspiration pneumonia or extend their life expectancy. Feeding tubes can also cause distress, necessitate pharmacological or physical restraints, and raise the risk of pressure ulcers. Even when nutritional goals are not being met, assisted feeding may still be preferred over a feeding tube in the final stages of dementia to provide benefits of palliative care and human interaction. In the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), feeding tubes are frequently used to feed critically ill patients while their conditions are being treated; as of 2016, no one could agree on whether nasogastric or gastric tube surgery was better. Dysmotility and mechanical obstruction there is some evidence that people with head and neck cancers that obstruct the esophagus and would limit oral intake, advanced gastroparesis, and ALS benefit more from feeding tubes for chronic malnutrition. Gastric tubes appear to have better outcomes for long-term use than nasogastric tubes. During their recovery from surgery, people who have surgery on their stomach or throat frequently require a feeding tube; either a tube that goes through the nose and reaches the middle of the small intestine or a tube that goes directly through the abdomen reaches the small intestine are used. People who had a tube inserted through their nose may have been able to resume eating normally sooner, according to some evidence. Products flavored for drinking and unflavored for tube feeding are produced by medical nutrition companies. A food which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition. Through the nares (also known as the nostril), a Nasogastric feeding tube (NG-tube) is inserted into the stomach via the esophagus. Although some infants and children may use an NG-tube for a longer period of time, this type of feeding tube is typically used for short-term feeding, usually less than one month. A gastric feeding tube, which is more long-lasting, is typically used for people who require tube feeding for a longer period of time. The NG-tube's primary benefit is that it can be removed or replaced without surgery at any time because it is temporary and relatively easy to place. Complications associated with NG-tubes include nasal irritation and accidental tube removal. More specifically, patients' vocal cords, lungs, and trachea can be damaged when nasogastric or nasoenteric tubes are placed incorrectly, causing serious injuries or even death.

With Regards,
Joseph Kent
Journal Manager
Journal of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics