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feeding tube
Also see medications via enteral tube
Indications:
- nutritionally support patients unable to eat, but with intact gastrointestinal tract
- gastrostomy is indicated for long term enteral nutrition
Contraindications:
- advanced dementia [7]
- assisted oral feeding oral feeding may be preferable, especially in a nursing home setting [10]
- feeding tubes do not prolong survival, reduce incidence of pneumonia, improve function, or reduce incidence or severity of pressure ulcers in patients with advanced dementia [5]
Procedure:
- tube placement either through the nasapharynx into the stomach or small intestine or directly through the abdominal wall
- nasojejunal tube may be indicated when high residual volumes occur with a nasogastric tube or for avoidance of pancreatic secretion after acute pancreatitis
Complications:
- increased incidence of aspiration pneumonia
- reports of pneumothorax with 2 of the 3 FDA-approved enteral access systems [9]
- metabolic disturbances (electrolyte imbalance) [6]
- diarrhea
- cellulitis at gastrostomy site [6]
- interference with absorption of Sinemet & phenytoin [6]
- increased use of physical restraints
- increased emergency department visits (for feeding tube malfunction)
Management:
- elevate head of bed if supine
- see enteral nutrition
Notes:
- feeding tubes may be too frequently placed in demented patients [3]
- feeding tube use declined 2000-2014
- use is higher in black nursing home residents than white nursing home residents [8]
Related
enteral nutrition
gastrostomy
medications via enteral tube
nasogastric tube (NGT) placement (gastric intubation)
nasojejunal tube
Specific
gastrostomy/jejunostomy (G/J) tube
Salem-sump
General
enteral tube
References
- Journal Watch 21(19):152, 2001
Heyland et al Crit Care Med 29:1495, 2001
- Journal Watch 22(8):62, 2002
Davis AR et al, Crit Care Med 30:586, 2002
- Teno JM et al.
Hospital characteristics associated with feeding tube
placement in nursing home residents with advanced cognitive
impairment.
JAMA 2010 Feb 10; 303:544.
PMID: 20145231
- Lopez RP, Amella EJ, Strumpf NE, et al.
The influence of nursing home culture on the use of feeding
tubes.
Arch Intern Med 2010; 170(1):83-88.
PMID: 20065203
- Teno JM et al
Does feeding tube insertion and its timing improve survival?
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012 Oct;60(10):1918-21.
PMID: 23002947
- Geriatric Review Syllabus, 8th edition (GRS8)
Durso SC and Sullivan GN (eds)
American Geriatrics Society, 2013
- American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
Feeding Tubes in Advanced Dementia Position Statement. May 2013
http://www.americangeriatrics.org/files/documents/feeding.tubes.advanced.dementia.pdf
- American Geriatrics Society Ethics Committee and Clinical
Practice and Models of Care Committee.
American Geriatrics Society feeding tubes in advanced dementia
position statement.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2014 Aug; 62:1590
PMID: 25039796
- Mitchell SL, Mor V, Gozalo PL et al.
Tube feeding in US nursing home residents with advanced dementia,
2000-2014.
JAMA 2016 Aug 16; 316:769.
PMID: 27533163
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2544627
- Brooks M
Pneumothorax Events Linked to Placement of Enteral Feeding Tube.
Medscape: January 11, 2018
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/891200
- FDA MedWatch. Jan 11, 2018
CORRECTION - Feeding Tube Placement Systems:
Letter to Health Care Providers - Reports of Pneumothorax Events.
Link broken.
- Hanson LC
Tube Feeding vs Assisted Oral Feeding for Persons With Dementia:
Using Evidence to Support Decision-Making.
Annals of Long-Term Care, 2013. Jan
https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/altc/articles/tube-feeding-versus-assisted-oral-feeding-persons-dementia-using-evidence-support-decision