Enteral tube placement facilitates delivery of nutrition or medication to the functional gastrointestinal tract in patients who are unable to maintain adequate oral intake. Annually, more than 255,000 patients in the United States require enteral nutrition support during hospitalization. Choice of tube, access point, delivery site, and feeding method varies based on indication, expected duration of use, and patient anatomy. The objective of this expert commentary is to help gastroenterology practitioners choose the most suitable enteral access method in varying clinical situations.
Becoming familiar with common and advanced enteral access techniques is within the armamentarium of all practicing gastroenterologists. Malnutrition or risk of malnutrition impacts nearly all gastrointestinal disorders. Understanding common routes of enteral access and the basic principles of nutrition support promotes the initiation of optimal enteral nutrition, mitigating the impact of malnutrition, and improving prognosis for patients at nutritional risk.
