Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube

Parenteral and enteral feedings are considered in patients with insufficient oral intake or contraindications to anything by mouth. Nutritional support provided includes protein or amino acids, carbohydrates, fiber, fat, water, minerals, and vitamins. Parenteral nutrition refers to the delivery of calories and nutrients via a vein whereas enteral tube feeding refers to delivering nutrition via a tube directly into the gut (stomach, duodenum, or jejunum). Enteral feeding is superior to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) due to fewer infectious complications, reduced cost, earlier gut function, preservation of gut mucosa and immune function, and reduced hospital length of stay. Enteral tube feeding is placed via the nose (nasogastric/nasoduodenal/nasojejunal), mouth (orogastric), or direct percutaneous route (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy/gastrojejunostomy tube). Although other methods of enteric feeding, such as nasal and oral tubes, are performed bedside or by interventional radiology, percutaneous needs surgical intervention.  Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes serve as the favorable route of feeding and nutritional support in patients with a functional gastrointestinal (GI) system who require long-term enteral nutrition, usually beyond 4 weeks. As PEG tubes provide direct percutaneous access to the stomach, another indication for PEG placement includes stomach decompression. Broadly, the major uses for PEG tube include nutrition supplementation and stomach decompression. PEG tube placement is one of the most common endoscopic procedures and is a relatively safe procedure, barring minor and major complications.