Tutorial on adult enteral tube feeding: Indications, placement, removal, complications, and ethics

Enteral nutrition, generally preferred to parenteral nutrition, is indicated when patients cannot meet their energy and metabolic demands. Gastrostomy tubes are placed directly into the stomach (either endoscopically, surgically, or radiologically) through the abdominal wall. Routine gastrostomy tube care is important to maintain well-functioning tubes. Postpyloric feeding tubes are preferable to gastric feeding tubes if patients have a history of aspiration, gastroesophageal reflux, severe gastroparesis, and/or recurrent nausea and vomiting. Feeding jejunostomy tubes are placed surgically and are indicated if gastric feeding is unsafe or impossible. Dual-lumen gastrojejunostomy tubes are used when both gastric decompression and feeding are desired. The general risks of enteral tube feeding include diarrhea, metabolic derangements, and aspiration. Additional complications for gastrostomy tubes, which can arise at any time, include tube dysfunction (clogging or deterioration), infection, bleeding, peristomal leakage, ulceration, gastric outlet obstruction, and accidental removal. After percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement, there are also early or late complications that may occur. Multiple factors should be considered in the decision-making process for feeding tube placement. It is important to be realistic about the patient's prognosis and goals and to discuss the risks and benefits ahead of time. Consultation with palliative care or clinical ethics specialists should be considered in certain clinical scenarios.