Dorothy FarrarFeeding tube
The gastric tube serves to artificially feed a person who is unable to eat himself, for example after a severe mouth injury, in case of persistent unconsciousness, etc. The body receives vital nutrients through this plastic tube. In addition, the stomach contents can be drained outwards with a gastric tube, for example after poisoning.
What is a stomach tube?
The gastric tube is a thin and very soft tube that is about one meter long and measures a few millimeters in diameter. Inside, the hose is hollow. The end is connected to a plastic bag (outside the body) that catches the returning gastric juice. In addition, there is a second opening through which water, liquid food or medicines enter the stomach.
There are different types of gastric tubes. On the one hand, there is a nasal or an oral gastric tube: Here, the probes are inserted through the nose or mouth, are easy to place and are particularly suitable for short-term treatments. On the other hand, there is a PEG tube for long-term artificial feeding. This gastric tube is inserted through the abdominal wall by means of a small puncture site and is used for artificial nutrition when the person concerned is no longer able to swallow independently, for example due to nerve damage, cancer, etc. The insertion of the stomach tube is harmless and usually painless, although it is perceived by some patients as somewhat unpleasant.
Applications
Typical areas of application of the gastric tube:
On the one hand, the gastric tube is suitable for administering food, which is mainly used in people of older age or after accidents, and on the other hand, elements of the stomach contents can be derived with it. The latter method is used, for example, after poisoning. The gastric tube can open directly in the stomach, but also in the duodenum or colon.
At the end, which serves as an introduction into the stomach, it has small holes so that the food enters the body and it is thus supplied with all the important nutrients. At the other end, the hose has an attachment for various devices such as a vacuum cleaner, for example to pump out stomach acid, blood or other contents. If a diagnosis requires the gastric juice to be examined, it can also be taken through the gastric tube. Babies are sometimes also fed with the help of a stomach tube with pumped breast milk or infant formula, if the sucking and swallowing reflex is not yet developed in them.
What does the patient have to consider in advance?
In the hours before the insertion of the stomach tube, the affected person must not eat or drink anything. In addition, medications that inhibit blood clotting may have to be omitted, but this is always done in consultation with the doctor.
How does the investigation work?
Before a stomach tube is placed, the doctor discusses this with the person concerned and also obtains his consent. If the patient himself is not capable of consent, for example in the event of unconsciousness or after a stroke, the physician turns to the caregiver.
- Gastric tube through the nose: Here, the tube is guided through the nose, throat and esophagus until it is in the desired position. To prevent the probe from slipping, the tube is then glued next to the nose by means of a plaster.
- Stomach tube through mouth: In other cases, the stomach tube is inserted through the mouth, for example with a broken bone in the face. Many patients find this uncomfortable because the gastric tube interferes with speaking. In addition, an oral gastric tube cannot be fixed as well.
- PEG tube: In order to insert a PEG tube, a small operation is required, which is usually done with the so-called thread-pulling method. The doctor first performs a Gastroscopy to find a suitable position for the probe on the abdomen. This area will be disinfected and given a local anesthetic. A small incision is then made in the skin of the abdomen, through which a small plastic tube is pushed into the stomach. The doctor places a thread through the tube into the stomach, which he can grasp inside the stomach with small forceps that are pushed through the endoscope .
The endoscope and thread are withdrawn from the stomach so that the thread then protrudes from the mouth. The end of the thread is tied to the PEG tube. This is then pulled back into the stomach by the thread that protrudes from the abdomen until it has reached the tube. The PEG tube is fixed from the outside with a small holding plate. To prevent it from growing into the wall of the stomach, the doctor should regularly loosen it a little, for example by turning it slightly.
Who bears the costs?
The cost of inserting a gastric tube is covered by health insurance. The only requirement for this is that it is a medically necessary intervention, which must be confirmed by a doctor.
Risks, complications and side effects
When inserting a gastric tube, the risk of risks and complications is generally very low. Inserting the probe is sometimes felt to be very uncomfortable, with some patients reacting with a gag reflex.
Further complications can result from the material of the tube. Poorly flexible materials can injure the Mucous membranes , stomach, esophagus or Intestines . However, the material used has evolved in recent years, so it is usually a flexible and pliable plastic that minimizes the risk of injury.
Very rarely it happens that the gastroscope pierces the mucous membrane. In this case, stomach contents can penetrate into the surrounding tissue. Such an injury often results in inflammation of the peritoneum .
With nasally routed tubes, the most common complications include irritation of the nasal mucosa and nosebleeds . However, this can be prevented by decongestant nasal sprays. However, these are all just exceptions, because it is estimated that less than one in a hundred sufferers will experience complications when inserting the gastric tube.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.