Enteral Nutrition via Nasogastric Tube & PEG Tube
Enteral Nutrition Enteral Nutrition (EN): Feeding through a tube. Site ‐ Nasal, oral or percunaneous (e.g. stomach, duodenum, jejunum) ‐Site depends on concurrent injuries, disease, impaired gastric motility, risk of aspiration & duration of nutritional support (Williams 2009). Size ‐ Depends on need for medications, feeding, gastric suctioning, decompression, measurement of pH or residual volumes (Willaims, 2009). – Fine bore (5‐12 Fr), large bore (>14Fr)
• EN can be cyclic, bolus and intermittent • The preferred method of delivering EN is with a medical infusion pump. • At pre‐determined intervals, oftentimes at night while the person is sleeping, a specially balanced feeding solution is dripped into the tube either by gravity or by pump. • In the morning, the feeding is disconnected, and the person is free to go about as usual.
Indications • • • • • • • •
Nutritional support for pt’s with a functioning GIT Pre‐op if the patient is malnourished Coma Metabolic abnormalities: malabsorbtion, chronic pancreatitis Hypercatabolic states: sepsis, burns, major trauma, major surgery Chemotherapy or radiation therapy IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis Psychological problems causing lack of appetite
Indications contd. Physical problems; • Unable to eat e.g. Facial fractured(fine bore tubes) • Loss of swallowing reflex e.g. CVA (fine bore tubes) • Inflammation of the mouth or throat eg. Following radiotherapy (fine bore tube) • Non‐functioning gut e.g. Complete obstruction, paralytic ileus (wide bore tube) • Depressed appetite caused by: carcinomas, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic system failure e.g. Renal failure
Complications • Metabolic imbalance: Hyperglycaemia, Hypoglycaemia (need dietician input) • Liver Failure • Nausea • Re‐feed syndrome‐ U&E imbalance (SJH, 2005) • Blockage of tube
Total Parental Nutrition (TPN) The nutrient solution consists of • water • electrolytes • glucose • amino acids • Lipids • essential vitamins • minerals and trace elements are added or given separately • Need individual prescription by dietician
Nasogastric (NG) Tube
Indications • Diagnostic – Evaluation of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed (presence of blood, volume) – Aspiration of gastric fluid content – Identification of the oesophagus and stomach on a chest radiograph – Administration of radiographic contrast to the GI tract
Indications contd. • Therapeutic – Feeding ‐ Being unable to eat, e.g. loss of swallowing reflex, e.g. a stroke, facial fractures, Inflammation of the mouth (fine bore tubes) – Non‐ functioning gut e.g. complete obstruction (Wide bore tubes) – Gastric decompression, including maintenance of a decompressed state after endotracheal intubation – Relief of symptoms and bowel rest in the setting of small‐bowel obstruction – Aspiration of gastric content from recent ingestion of toxic material – Administration of food/medication/ oral agents
Contraindications Maxillofacial Trauma/ base of skull fracture Oesophageal abnormalities/ strictures/varicies Upper GI disorders/ carcinomas Altered Mental status & impaired defences Patients with severe coughing. Caution with patients with coagulation disorders – discuss with team • Caution with facial burns
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(SJH policy 2005,Todd et al 2008, Dehn & Asprey 2007, Absukis et al 2000)
Complications Patient discomfort on insertion & when in situ Intracranial placement Trauma to nasopharynx Epistaxis; may be prevented by generously lubricating the tube tip & using a gentle technique. • Respiratory tree intubation • Oesophageal perforation
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Confirm position by aspiration • • • • • • •
Prior to commencing each feed Prior to administering medications Prior to flushing If the patient has vomited or coughed violently If the marking of the tube has slipped If the patient can feel the tube in their throat If you suspect malposition of the tube
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Tube Feeding
Indications • Prolonged feeding due to impaired swallowing, degenerative neurological disease; MS, dementia, Parkinson's disease (Lim et al 2007) • Nutrition, hydration, and administration of medications • Reduction in aspiration pneumonia associated with swallowing disorders (Zaler et al, 2004) • A feeding tube tract can narrow or close within hours of tube removal. • A simple gastrostomy requires approximately 1‐2 weeks to form a tract. More complicated procedures, may take 3 weeks to create a mature tract.
Contraindications • • • • • •
Bleeding disorders Gastric or other metastatic cancer Extensive gastric ulceration Intestinal obstruction Ascites Replacement should not be performed if any evidence of infection, such as extensive erythema, exudate, or warmth, is noticed around the site.
Complications • Blockage / dislodgement • Leakage • Inadvertent removal • Local sepsis • Granulation tissue formation • misplacement in the peritoneal cavity‐ peritonitis • Tube degradation (Zaler et al, 2004) • Cholecystitis (from bile stasis due to