TYPES OF FEEDING

TUBES
• When you first enter the world of tube feeding, it
feels like there is a whole new language to learn.
Knowing more about the different types of tubes
and understanding the lingo really helps you better
navigate the most appropriate options for your
patient.
 TYPES OF FEEDING TUBES:

• Nasal Tubes:
• Nasal tubes are non-surgical and temporary. The
choice between nasogastric (NG), nasoduodenal
(ND) and nasojejunal (NJ) depends on whether
your patient can tolerate feeding into the stomach
or not.
 NASAL TUBES

• NG-tubes enter the

body through the nose
and run down the
esophagus into the
stomach.
 NASAL TUBES

• ND-tubes are similar to NG-tubes,

but they go through the stomach
and end in the first portion of the
small intestine (duodenum).

• The nasoduodenal feeding tube is

inserted in the same manner as
the NG tube but is allowed to pass
into the duodenum, usually with
assistance, either endoscopic or
radiological.
 NASAL TUBES

• NJ-tubes extend even further

to the second portion of the
small intestine (jejunum).
• Bypassing the stomach can be
beneficial for those whose
stomachs don’t empty well,
who have chronic vomiting, or
who inhale or aspirate stomach
contents into the lungs.
GASTRIC TUBES
(G-TUBES)
 GASTRIC TUBES

• The most common type of

feeding tube is the
gastrostomy (G) tube.

• G-tubes are surgically placed

through the abdominal wall
into the stomach.

• There are a number of types

of G-tubes. Any kind of G-
tube can be placed initially.

• Often it is the surgeon or the

gastroenterologist who
determines the first type of G-
tube placed
 GASTRIC TUBES

These are some of the most

common types of G-tubes you
may encounter:

• PEG and Long Tubes: These

are one-piece tubes held in
place either by a retention
balloon or by a bumper. They
are often used as the initial G-
tube for the first 8-12 weeks
post-surgery.
 GASTRIC TUBES
• Low Profile Tubes or Buttons:

• These tubes do not have a

long tube permanently
attached outside the
stomach. Instead, they
have a tube called an
extension set that is
attached for feeding or
medication administration
and then disconnected
when not in use.

• When an extension set is not

attached to the button, it
lies fairly flat against the
body. There are two types:
 GASTRIC TUBES

• There are two types:

• Balloon buttons: These are held in place by a water filled

balloon. These are the most common G-tubes used in
children. They can be changed at home.
 GASTRIC TUBES

• Non-balloon buttons:

• Non-balloon buttons are harder to

pull out than balloon buttons.
Non-balloon buttons cannot be
replaced at home.

• They are placed in the doctor’s

office or at the hospital, sometimes
with sedation or a topical pain
reliever.
GASTRO-JEJUNAL TUBES
 GJ-TUBES

• When you need to bypass the

stomach for feeding, there is
the Gastro-jejunal (GJ) tube.

• GJ-tubes are placed in the

stomach just like G-tubes, but
inside the stomach there is also
a thin, long tube threaded into
the jejunal (J) portion of the
small intestine.
 GJ-TUBES

• The vast majority of children who get GJ feeding

tubes begin with G-tubes; it is rare for a GJ-tube to be
placed initially.

• Most GJ-tubes have separate ports to access both

the stomach (G port) and the small intestine (J port),
though some tubes, often called Transjejunal (TJ)
tubes, only allow access to the small intestine.

• GJ-tubes are available both as buttons or long tubes.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING 