An advantage of using a nasogastric tube to provide enteral tube feedings is that it is easy to insert and maintain and doesn't require surgery.
The nasogastric (NG) tube is often used when tube feeding is only going to be necessary for a short period of time (less than three months), while it can occasionally be used for several years.
The major advantage of nasogastric, nasoduodenal, and nasojejunal feedings over the gastrostomy or jejunostomy feeding is they do not require surgery. Therefore, they can be started quickly and they can be used either for short periods or intermittently with relatively low risk.
The disadvantage of NG feeding include partial nasal airway obstruction, increased mucus output, and nasal or esophageal irritation and discomfort (particularly if administered over an extended period of time). Nasogastric feeding may be a factor in chronic sinusitis and otitis media. NG feeding can lessen the suck/swallow mechanism in babies. The potential for the tube to puncture the esophagus or the stomach and the potential for the tube to enter the trachea and transfer formula into the lungs are two additional drawbacks. It is crucial to be sure that the NG tube is in the stomach before starting to feed because formula entering the lungs could cause serious or fatal pneumonitis.
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