The three main types of feeding tubes, based on their insertion point, are nasogastric, nasojejunal, and gastrostomy tubes.
Here's a breakdown of each type:
Feeding Tube Types
Type of Feeding Tube | Description | Insertion Point |
---|---|---|
Nasogastric (NG) | A tube inserted through the nose and down into the stomach. | Nose to Stomach |
Nasojejunal (NJ) | A tube inserted through the nose, down through the stomach, and into the jejunum (a part of the small intestine). | Nose to Jejunum (Small Intestine) |
Gastrostomy Tubes | A tube inserted directly into the stomach through an incision in the abdomen. Examples include PEG and RIG tubes. | Directly into Stomach (through the abdomen) |
Examples of Gastrostomy Tubes:
- Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG): Placed using an endoscope.
- Radiologically Inserted Gastrostomy (RIG): Placed using radiological guidance.