Still confused about feeding tubes

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Okay so this may sound ridiculous, maybe I am over thinking this, anyway for some reason I don't understand the differences between a PEG Tube, G Tube, J Tube and GJ Tube. Like why would a patient need a PEG Tube over a G/J/GJ Tube? Anyone want to share their knowledge with a confused student?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

It is all about position and insertion

Peg: Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy tube. This is placed into the stomach (implied by Gastro) using and endoscope. GI docs can do this as well as surgeons. It can be done in the ICU , endoscopy suite or OR. Usually done when the pt doesn't need any other surgery (execept at trach, then you have the infamous Trach/PEG combo)

G tube: Gastrostomy tube. Also a tube in the stomach but is placed by making an incision in the abdomen and surgically placing the tube in the stomach. Most frequently not done alone, but during another operation requiring an incision. Also necessary if the pt pulls out the PEG soon after insertion.

J tube: Jejunostomy tube, which goes in the jejunum. Placed at the time of surgery for a procedure on the stomach or duodenum, especially if you plan to wait to allow PO intake for anastamoses to heal (eg Whipple...you want to allow the pancreatic and billiary anastamoses time to heal. So placing the J tube distally allows enteric feeds which are better)

Medical Home Portal - Feeding Tubes and Gastrostomies

Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation

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It's not ridiculous that you are thinking about these things and asking questions! To add to Emse's reply:

Any kind of gastronomy tube is inserted when long term gastric feeding and medication administration is required, like when a patient cannot swallow properly or has a trach. The short term alternative of an NG tube is uncomfortable for the patient and has a high risk of being pulled out. In my experience, many patients with NG tubes require restraints so if long term enteral nutrition is the likely scenario (like when a patient is vent dependent) they will give them a PEG. Another reason GJ tubes are used instead of PEGs when the patient requires enteral feeding but may have delayed gastric emptying. The feedings go through the J port and meds go into the G port. Many meds would not have an effect if they were injected directly into the jejunum. But if the feedings are infusing directly into the stomach but not emptying at a proper rate, the patient has a risk for aspiration related to gastric reflux. I have never seen a G tube and have encountered some nurses who use "G tube" and "PEG tube" interchangeably.

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My instructor used PEG and G Tube loosely. As in as if they were the same thing. So a PEG Tube is meant for long term use and a G Tube is meant for a shorter term use? I think my main question is why would a patient have a G Tube over a PEG? I understand that the only difference is the way that they are inserted, but are there any other differences?

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Specializes in Pedi.
My instructor used PEG and G Tube loosely. As in as if they were the same thing. So a PEG Tube is meant for long term use and a G Tube is meant for a shorter term use? I think my main question is why would a patient have a G Tube over a PEG? I understand that the only difference is the way that they are inserted, but are there any other differences?

No, a PEG tube is a specific kind of G-tube. A G-tube is a tube that is in the stomach. A PEG tube is a G-tube that was placed by percutaneous endoscopy. In my experience, this is usually placed initially and then converted to a different tube (either a MIC or, more commonly, a MIC-Key) a few months later. G-tube is an umbrella term and PEG is one kind of G-tube.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
My instructor used PEG and G Tube loosely. As in as if they were the same thing. So a PEG Tube is meant for long term use and a G Tube is meant for a shorter term use? I think my main question is why would a patient have a G Tube over a PEG? I understand that the only difference is the way that they are inserted, but are there any other differences?
NO....physician preference. The difference is insertion method. They are incorrectly exchanged ALL the time. One is inserted percutaneous at the bedside with endoscopy the other is s surgical procedure through a small incision both are on the stomach only. Look at the links they give detailed explanations.

Like Kel said....they are frequently changed to another "more permanent" tube especially in children.

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