Multidisciplinary Practical Guidelines for Gastrointestinal Access for Enteral Nutrition and Decompression From the Society of Interventional Radiology and American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, With Endorsement by Canadian Interventional Radiological Association (CIRA) and Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE)

Abstract

J INTRODUCTION Tube feeding has been practiced for more than 400 years (1). In addition to feeding, gastrointestinal (GI) access can be used for decompression in cases of enteral obstruction. Temporary access can be achieved with a nasogastric (NG), oral gastric (OG), nasojejunal (NJ), or oral jejunal (OJ) feeding tube. These tubes can be placed “blindly” at the bedside, with the use of image guidance (eg, fluoroscopy, ultrasound), or with the use of endoscopic guidance. Unfortunately, natural orifice tubes often fail because of clogging as a result of their relatively small diameter or inadvertent dislodgement (2). More permanent enteral access can be obtained