Enteral tube nutrition

[Greta]

Enteral tube nutrition is indicated for patients who have a functioning gastrointestinal (GI) tract but cannot ingest enough nutrients orally because they are unable or unwilling to take oral feedings. (See also Overview of Nutritional Support.)
Compared with parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition has the following advantages:

Better preservation of the structure and function of the GI tract
Lower cost
Probably fewer complications, particularly infections

Specific indications for enteral nutrition include the following:

Prolonged anorexia
Severe protein-energy undernutrition
Coma or depressed sensorium
Liver failure
Inability to take oral feedings due to head or neck trauma
Critical illnesses (eg, burns) causing metabolic stress

Other indications may include bowel preparation for surgery in seriously ill or undernourished patients, closure of enterocutaneous fistulas, and small-bowel adaptation after massive intestinal resection or in disorders that may cause malabsorption (eg, Crohn disease).