Where buy Feeding Tubes - Enteral Feeding Tubes - PEG, Nasogastric, Gastrostomy

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Indications

Indications for Tube feeding require a patient to have a gastrointestinal (GI) tract that is functioning, but are unable to meet their nutritional needs via oral ingestion nutrients. When possible the GI tract should be used as it can atrophy and natural gut flora may translocate to the circulatory system which will increase infection risk. While the use of a feeding tube is most commonly used as the sole source of nutrition, it is sometimes combined with oral intake.

More specific indications include:

• Less than 50% of necessary nutritional intake received orally for five days
• Coma
• Severe dysphagia
• Low enterocutaneous fistula output

Contraindications

Contraindications for enteral tube feeding can vary by the type of tube, insertion point, and duration of tube feeding. In an attempt to lump those more general contraindications together we have provided the following Feeding Tube contraindications.

• High enterocutaneous fistula output
• Shock or severe acute pancreatitis
• Severe dementia
• Advanced cancer
• Partial or full paralyzation of the GI tract
• Intestinal hypomotility
• Failure to thrive
• Intestinal obstruction
• Aggressive nutritional support is not warranted

Types of Feeding Tubes

Feeding Tubes are classified by their intended use as well as the site they are inserted.

Nasogastric Feeding Tube
A Nasogastric Feeding Tube is also commonly called an NG-tube. When a Nasogastric Feeding Tube is used, it is inserted through the nose and passed down through the esophagus and finally in to the stomach. Nasogastric Feeding Tubes are used for short term feeding which typically does not last for longer than 2 weeks.

Gastrostomy Feeding Tube
A gastric feeding tube is used for long tern enteral nutrition administration for patients at low risk for aspiration.. A Gastric Feeding Tube works by being inserted through a small incision made in to the abdomen and is then pushed in to the stomach so feeding can be administered. There are three main variations to a Gastrostomy feeding tubes:

1. PEG Feeding Tube - Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy feeding tubes are used quite commonly. PEG Tubes are primarily used to establish the tract and stoma site as a placement tube. Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tubes have commonly been placed endoscopically but percutaneous placement via interventional radiology can also be identified as a PEG Tube.
2. Standard Gastrostomy Tubes - Commonly called a G-tube or a button, these balloon or non-balloon tubes may be placed in a patient surgically as an initial or also as a replacement tube for enteral feeding. Gastrostomy tubes placed surgically are most commonly done during a laparotomy or open surgical procedure. For patients where surgical feeding tube placement is the only option a Stamm surgical gastrostomy technique is typically used. Once an initial gastrostomy tube has formed a well defined tract between the abdominal wall and the stomach, typically taking six weeks, the standard gastrostomy tube is then placed. Tract maturation times may vary from patient to patient.
3. Low Profile Gastrostomy Tube - A lightweight deviation to the standard gastrostomy tube is the Low Profile G-Tube. Adults who are active, pediatric patients, and patients who are at risk of pulling out their feeding tubes will commonly receive a Low Profile Gastrostomy Feeding Tube. There are a few Low Profile G Tubes which are suited for initial tube placement but the majority of them have been designed to be inserted into a matured tract.
   

Feeding Tube Sizing

Feeding tubes are sized in the French scale or French unites. These units are most commonly abbreviated as Fr, but can also be communicated as Fg, FR or F. In French speaking countries they might use CH/Ch after Charriere, the inventor. 1 French unit is equal to .33 millimeters, so in order to figure the diameter of a round feeding tube you can simply divide the French size by 3. D (mm) = Fr/3 or Fr = D (mm) × 3. A French size of 12 would have a diameter of 4 mm.

French size correlates to the exterior diameter of the feeding tube and not the diameter of the internal channel.

Tube Feeding Calculation

There are a large array of different tube feeding formulas which can be used for tube feeding but it's crucial to understand the nutritional needs of the patient. Once you know the amount of formula they should be receiving in a 24 hour period, the rate of feedings can then be calculated.

1. First, you will need the patients weight in both pounds and kilograms. You can convert pounds to kilograms by dividing the pound weight by 2.2.
2. Figure the patients height in inches.
3. Using the Harris-Benedict Formula, we will now calculate the patients daily caloric requirement. We will first figure need the Basal Metabolic Rate, now rather than figuring this by hand we would recommend using WolframAlpha to make this easy. Click here, and enter in the patients age, body weight, height and gender, then hit enter or the the little equals sign.
4. We will now use the Harris-Benedict Method to determine the amount of calories needed daily to maintain current weight. Select the most appropriate weekly exercise level and multiply the BMR accordingly.
   

   Little to no exercise	Daily calories needed = BMR x 1.2
   Light exercise (1–3 days per week)	Daily calories needed = BMR x 1.375
   Moderate exercise (3–5 days per week)	Daily calories needed = BMR x 1.55
   Heavy exercise (6–7 days per week)	Daily calories needed = BMR x 1.725
   Very heavy exercise (twice per day, extra heavy workouts)	Daily calories needed = BMR x 1.9

5. Now, in order to figure the tube feeding rate we will first need to figure the total volume of daily formula. Read the label on the formula to determine the calorie count per milliliter and the volume of the can, the majority of feeding formulas will provide 1 kcal/mL or 2 kcal/mL and are commonly 250 mL cans. Assuming you 1 kcal/mL and 250 mL cans, you will need six cans formula.
6. Figure the rate of tube feeding by now dividing the total volume (1500 in our example) by the feeding duration. If feeding was to be provided for 20 hours of the day, the patient would require 75 mL an hour.

Feeding Tube Complications

Complications that may occur with enteral tube feeding cover a broad range which can typically be fall under mechanical, gastrointestinal, metabolic/biochemical and other miscellaneous complications. Additionally, complications with feeding tube use can vary with the type of tube being used.

Nasoenteric Feeding Tube Complications
Since the introduction of fine bore nasoenteral feeding tubes in the 1970's, complications have become far less common. The majority of complications seen are now physical and related to the finer size and varying pliability and materials used with tubes. Tube blockage is a common issue when using crushed medication or when precipitation of protein builds and causes a blockage from inadequate flushing. Additional problems specific to nasoenteric feeding tube use can include:

• Nasopharyngeal discomfort
• Gastro-esophageal reflux
• Intracranial insertion - increased risk from modern tubes with internal guide wires
• Development of tracheo-eosophageal fistulas
• Endobronchial placement

Surgical Gastrostomy Feeding Tube Complications
Complications stemming from surgical gastrostomy feeding tubes are more than a few, even though the procedure has been performed for many years. The likelihood of a complication can increase depending on the patient. If patients are elderly, malnourished, suffering from a head injury, stroke, or malignancy, the chances increase; combine that with the use of general anesthesia when performing the gastrostomy can further increase risk.

• Wound dehiscence
• Infection
• Leakage
• Aspiration
• Bleeding

Endoscopic Gastrostomy Complications
PEG feeding tubes have become increasingly more accepted, easier to insert and have a far lower morbidity and mortality rates. Combine those advantages with the fact that PEGs generally will not require general anesthetic and are significantly less expensive than a surgical gastrostomy. Complications from an Endoscopic Gastrostomy include:

• Peristomal infection
• Leakage
• Accidental tube removal
• Tube blockage
• Tube fracture
• Tube displacement
• Peritonitis
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Bleeding
• Gastric mucosa overgrowth

Complications and Interventions
The following recommendations should not be substituted for the advice of a medical care professional. Listed below are complications, the possible causes, and potential intervention actions.

Complication	Possible Cause(s)	Intervention
Nausea/Vomiting and Diarrhea	Rapid administration of feeding	For continuous drip feeding, return infusion rate to previous tolerated level. Then gradually increase rate For bolus feeding, increase length of time for feeding. Allow for short break during feeding. Offer smaller and more frequent feedings
	Hyperosmolar solution (high calorie and/or high protein formulas)	Switch to isotonic formula Dilute current formula to isotonic strength and gradually increase to full strength Check that formula is mixed properly Avoid adding other foods to formula (i.e., baby food, powdered formula)
	Medication	Do not add medication to formula; give between feeding with water or juice (for infants over 6 months CA) Meds that may cause diarrhea include: antibiotics, GI neurologic stimulants beta blockers, laxatives, stool softeners, liquid meds with sorbitol ie. theophyline Review medication profile and change if possible
	Air in stomach/intestine	Burp child during feedings or allow for short breaks Use medication to decrease gas, ie.simethicone Elevate child's head during feeding and for 30 minutes after meal
	Tube migration from stomach to small intestine	Pull on tube to reposition against stomach wall
	Cold feedings	Warm feedings to room temperature
	Rapid GI transit	Select fiber enriched formula
	Bacterial contamination	Use breast milk that has been safely collected and stored Refrigerate open cans of formula and keep only as long as manufacturer suggests Clean tops of formula cans before opening Hang only 4 hour amount of formula at a time Be sure feeding sets are cleaned well
	Allergy/lactose intolerance	Switch to breast milk or lactose-free formula Try soy formula. If allergic to soy, may need elemental or semi-elemental formula
	Excessive flavorings	Stop using flavorings
		Decrease fat in formula or use MCT Oil Refer to physician
Constipation	Inadequate fiber/bulk or fluid	Try formula with added fiber Increase water Try supplementing with prune juice Try stool softeners, suppositories, or enema, as indicated Refer to physician
Gastroesophageal reflux	Delayed gastric emptying	Refer to physician May recommend medication to stimulate GI tract Elevate child's head (30-45 degree angle) during feeding and for 1 hour after meal Check for residuals before feeding Try smaller, more frequent bolus feedings or continuous drip feeding Consider Jejunal feeding
Large residuals	Decreased gastric motility	Elevate child's head during feeding Use gastric stimulant to promote gastric emptying Consider continuous feeds
	Hyperosmolar formula	Switch to breast milk or isotonic formula
	Medications	Do not add medications to formula; give between feeding with water or juice Refer to physician
Tube feeding syndrome (dehydration, azotemia, and hypernatremia)	Excessive protein intake with inadequate fluid intake	Refer to physician Decrease protein Increase fluids. Monitor fluid intake and output
Hyponatremia		Refer to physician Replace sodium losses Restrict fluids
Clogged feeding tube	Residue or coagulated protein Inadequate flushing of tube Medication	Use correct formula Flush tubes with water after giving formula or medication Flush every 3-4 hours with continuous drip feeds Do not mix formula with medication Irrigate with air, using syringe Gently milk tubing Dissolve 1/4 tsp. meat tenderizer in 10 cc water and flush to dissolve clot Replace tube
Leakage of gastric contents	Improper positioning of child Tube migration Increased sized of stoma	Place child upright for feeding Make sure gastrostomy tube is firmly in place Stabilize tube with gauze pads, adjust crosspiece If stoma is too large for tube, insert new tube Keep skin around stoma clean and dry; use protective ointments and gauze If leaking out of button gastrostomy, may need to replace device Refer to physician
Bleeding around stoma		A small amount of bleeding is normal Tape tube securely in place to avoid irritation from movement Secure tube under child's clothing Refer to physician
Infection of stoma	Gastric leakage around tube Stoma site not kept clean Allergic reaction to soap	Correct cause of leakage Carefully cleanse and protect stoma If stoma site is irritated use plain water or change type of soap used Refer to physician for culture and medication
Granulation tissue	Body rejecting foreign body Poorly fitting tube causing friction Use of antiseizure medication such as Dilantin	Keep area clean and dry Adjust snugness of PEG tube with crosspiece Stabilize tube using tape, bandnet, ace bandage, tube top Prevent child from pulling on tube Apply silver nitrate as directed by physician

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