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World J Gastrointest Endosc. May 16, 2010; 2(5): 155-164
Published online May 16, 2010. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v2.i5.155
Endoscopic placement of enteral feeding tubes
Gerard P Rafferty, Tony CK Tham
Gerard P Rafferty, Tony CK Tham, Division of Gastroenterology, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast BT16 1RH, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Rafferty GP wrote the article; and Tham TCK supervised and revised the paper critically for important intellectual content.
Correspondence to: Gerard P Rafferty, MB, BCh, Division of Gastroenterology, Ulster Hospital, Belfast BT16 1RH, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. gerardrafferty@hotmail.com
Telephone: +44-28-90293199
Received: January 4, 2010
Revised: April 25, 2010
Accepted: May 2, 2010
Published online: May 16, 2010
Abstract

Malnutrition is common in patients with acute and chronic illness. Nutritional management of these malnourished patients is an essential part of healthcare. Enteral feeding is one component of nutritional support. It is the preferred method of nutritional support in patients that are not receiving adequate oral nutrition and have a functioning gastrointestinal tract (GIT). This method of nutritional support has undergone progression over recent times. The method of placement of enteral feeding tubes has evolved due to development of new feeding tubes and endoscopic technology. Enteral feeding can be divided into methods that provide short-term and long-term access to the GIT. This review article focuses on the current range of methods of gaining access to the GIT to provide enteral feed.

Keywords: Enteral feeding; Nutrition; Gastro-intestinal tract; Percutaneous; Jejunostomy; Gastrostomy