Jejunal (J) Tubes
A jejunal tube (J Tube) is a tube that goes through the skin and muscle into the stomach and then into the small intestine (jejunum). There is only access to the jejunum with a J Tube, meaning there is no access to the stomach. The opening in the skin can be called a stoma, a site, or a tract. The tube is used for nutrition, fluids, or medicine. A J Tube is used to feed someone who is unable to eat by mouth. A J Tube is most often needed for people who cannot absorb nutrients from food in their stomach, or if there have been problems with their G tube. J Tube feedings allow the nutrition to go right into the small intestines. The small intestine is part of the digestive system between the stomach and the large intestine. The small intestine is where most of the water nutrients from food are absorbed. The small intestine is divided into 3 parts:
- The duodenum
- The jejunum
- The ileum
Some people cannot handle having food or liquids in their stomach. This is sometimes due to “reflux.” Reflux is where the contents of the stomach travel back up the food pipe (esophagus) and can make you vomit. If this happens there is a risk that the feeding can be inhaled into the lungs, which can cause a chest infection. Using a J Tube can stop this from happening by bypassing the mouth, food pipe, and stomach, taking the feeding right into the jejunum.
Your healthcare team will tell you the reasons for needing a feeding tube.
What does a J-Tube Look Like?
What types of J Tubes are there?
There are 2 types of J Tubes:
Standard-length tube
This is sometimes called a “dangler” because it hangs out of the skin near the stomach. There is a small plastic disc which sits close to the skin and helps keep the tube in place.
Low-profile tube
This type of tube is often called a “button”. The low-profile tube is short and measured to sit close to the skin, making it less visible than a standard-length tube. Most of the tube will be inside the body and cannot be seen.
The J Tube has 2 ports:
- The jejunal (J) port bypasses the stomach and goes into the jejunum. The jejunum is one part of the small intestine. Nutrition, fluids, or medicine can go into the J port. This can help prevent reflux. There is a cover on the port which should be kept closed when it is not being used.
- The balloon port is used to inflate the balloon to keep the tube in place. A small water-filled balloon holds the J Tube in place inside the stomach. The water needs to be checked once a week. To do this, a syringe is attached to the balloon port on the device. This is then used to remove the water before replacing it. You will be taught how to do this before you go home.
Your healthcare team will teach you how to use the tube.
How is a J Tube placed?
The tube is placed through the skin near the stomach with an operation. If you already have a G Tube, then the opening or stoma can be used to place the J Tube. To learn more about different operations, visit the J Tube or G Tube procedure page.
What supplies are needed?
You will be given all the supplies and nutrition for feedings you need at home. Supplies will be sent to you routinely and you will be told how to order these. A case worker will help get these supplies delivered to your home.
Find a place to store the supplies where they can be kept safe, clean, and easy to access. You can dispose of used supplies in the household garbage.
Always follow the instructions for using your supplies to avoid problems like infections. Infections can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Some of the supplies may include:
- Extension sets
- Syringes
- Feeding pump
These supplies will attach to the feeding tube. You can feed right into the standard-length J Tube. When using a low-profile J Tube, an extension set needs to be attached to the feeding port to give nutrition, fluids, or medicine.
Continuous extension set
This is attached to the J Tube for continuous feeding over a few hours, usually using a pump. Continuous feeding can be done during the daytime or overnight.
There are many formulas or feeding choices for tube feeding. Your healthcare team will choose what is best for you. A dietitian will work with you to make a feeding plan before you leave the hospital. Your healthcare team should help you find a feeding schedule that fits best into your family routine. This can change as your needs change.
Sometimes you may need extra water to meet daily fluid needs. Just like people drink something along with their meal, you will need some extra water with your nutrition. This is called “extra free water.” Your healthcare team or dietitian will tell you how much extra free water you need. Extra water is often given after medicines, or in between or after feedings.
You will be taught exactly what to do before going home. You will also be given information to take home in case you forget anything. Your healthcare team should tell you who to contact with any questions or concerns.
When does the tube get changed?
When the time comes to change the tube, it can be replaced by the same type of tube or a different type. A new tube will be placed during a procedure in the hospital. It cannot be replaced at home. The new tube will be inserted through the same opening, also called a stoma, and the balloon gets inflated. Ask your healthcare team how often to do this.
Instructions for Use (IFU) and Patient Guides
Below you will find a link to go to our IFU website to find all of our other patient guides and IFUs. To ensure you always have the most current information regarding your specific product, please visit our Instructions for Use website. When you arrive at the site, scroll down to view the easy-to-follow instructions and have your product part # (the REF# on your product label) ready to enter in the search box. If you don’t know your product part #, then please contact our nurse support team so that they can help you figure this out. Click here for nurse support contact info.
All Patient Guides
IFU Website