Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Tubes
A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube (PEG Tube) is a small tube that goes through the skin and muscle into the stomach. The opening in the skin can be called a stoma, a site, or a tract. The tube is used for nutrition, fluids, medicine, or decompression. A PEG Tube can be the first type of tube used for someone who needs tube feeding.
PEG Tubes are long tubes. They have a small bumper which sits inside the stomach and a disc which sits on the outside of the body. This helps keep the tube in place.
What does a PEG-Tube Look Like?
The PEG Tube has 2 ports:
The medicine port is used to give medicine. This goes directly into the stomach. There is a cover on the port which should be kept closed when it is not being used.
The feeding port goes directly into the stomach for nutrition, fluids or decompression. Sometimes there is extra air in the stomach and the feeding port can help get rid of the extra air. This is called decompression. Talk to your healthcare team about how and when to do this. There is a cover on the port which should be kept closed when it is not being used.
The PEG Tube is used to feed someone who is unable to eat all their nutrition by mouth. Nutrition is fed directly into the stomach.
Your healthcare team will tell you reasons for needing a feeding tube.
How is a PEG Tube placed?
The tube is placed through the skin into the stomach with an operation. You can find out more about this in the PEG Tube procedure section.
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:
- Syringes
- Feeding pump
These supplies will attach to the tube for giving nutrition, fluids, or medicine.
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.
Here are some common ways to feed with your PEG Tube:
- Bolus feeding: This is also called “intermittent” feeding. It is when a set amount of nutrition is given through the tube over a short period of time, usually about 20 minutes. It travels down the tube using gravity with a syringe or an electric pump.
- Continuous feeding: This is where your nutrition is given over a few hours. This method of feeding often uses an electronic pump to push the nutrition into the tube. Feedings can be done during the daytime or overnight.
- Combination feeding: This uses both methods. It is common to get bolus feedings during the day and a continuous feedings overnight.
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?
The tube could stay in place for many months, depending on the type of PEG Tube used. When the time comes to change the tube, it can be replaced by the same type of tube or a different type. The new tube is inserted through the same opening site. Ask your healthcare team about your options.
Videos
MIC* PEG Tube Maintenance and Stoma Care
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