Best way to unclog a PEG?

[BrazoriaLVN]

I have heard of using coke, ginger ale, meat tenderizer, warm cranberry juice, and lots of other things to unclog Peg tubes. What has worked well for y'all?

I was also wondering if there was a way to clean all the gunk out of the inside-we have someone who 6 weeks ago came back with a nice new clear tube and now it is a lovely shade of brown...

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Coke has worked for me.

But to help prevent clogging in the first place - make sure you flush it frequently and with enough fluid.

[Marshall1]

coke or sprite has always worked for me..like melo said - make sure to flush it AND that the patient in not diabetic if you use regular coke or sprite

[elthia]

Our MD's order a solution of 1 capsule of pancreatic enzymes with 1/4 amp bicarb. Instill and let dwell. It will unclog a PEG or J-tube like nothing I have seen.

[Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN]

Back in my LTC days we used ginger ale (diet for diabetics), worked like a charm.

[systoly]

All the methods you've heard of have some value if you can get them down far enough to the clog. I'd be careful with the meat tenderizer (esp. in Na restriction). What elthia suggests is my preference as it is more effective in my experience.

[MizzERRN]

Coffee

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

They make a product for unclogging PEGs= it's like a skinny bottle brush and they work. :) See if your supplies people can get them- they're not super expensive, and a LOT cheaper than replacing the PEG. :)

[NeoPediRN]

I also use baking soda and warm water. We have clog zapper to use on bad jtube clogs. To clear the brown gunk out of the peg tubing --> push really warm water or cranberry juice or gingerale into the peg tubing and then clamp so that it remains in the tubing...wait 10 minutes and then run the clamp up and down the tubing (while clamped). When the line looks clear of pull back on the syringe to extract the liquid you pushed into the tubing. VOILA! Works like magic every time.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

http://www.bardaccess.com/feed-peg-brush.php

:)

[MomRN0913]

Really warm water. I have used coke, gingerale, cranberry juice with minimal effect. really warm water.... that works good.

[deemalt, BSN, RN]

I have seen people use an NG guide wire (a bit expensive but works). Putting a blue tipped attachment on a 3cc syringe will give you extra pressure to clear a peg (don't know what it's called but is sort of cone shaped). One of the best methods seems to be detaching the lopez valve and milking all of the gunk out.