What types of feeding tubes are available?
People who are unable to eat food normally can receive the nutrition they need through a feeding tube. Receiving food through a tube is called enteral nutrition.
Feeding tubes come in a variety of options. Your doctor will determine the type of tube you need based on several factors, including your medical condition and the insertion point for the feeding tube. (Medication can also be administered through the feeding tube.)
In general, these are the types of feeding tubes that are used to provide enteral nutrition:
Non-surgically inserted tubes
These feeding tubes are inserted in through the nose, down the esophagus and either into the stomach or the small intestine.
- Short-term feeding option, usually 4-6 weeks
- Easier to insert
- Most common type of feeding tubes
Type of Tube | Insertion Point | Ending Point |
Orogastric tube (OG) | Mouth | Stomach
|
|
| Nose | Stomach |
Nasoduodenal tube
| Nose | Top of the intestine (duodenum) |
Nasojejunal tube
| Nose | Middle section of the intestine (jejunum) |
Surgically inserted tubes
These feeding tubes are inserted into the stomach or the small intestine through a surgical procedure.
- More invasive procedure for initial insertion
- Usually for a long-term feeding option
Type of Tube | Insertion Point | Ending Point |
|
| Abdominal wall
| Stomach |
|
| Abdominal wall | Small intestine (ends in the jejunum) |
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy/Jejunostomy tube (PEG/PEJ tube)
| Abdominal wall (inserted by an endoscopic procedure) | Stomach and small intestine |