Current management of endoscopic feeding tube dysfunction.

Surgically placed gastrostomy and jejunostomy feeding tubes allow administration of enteral nutrition for patients who are unable to swallow safely. Several endoscopic techniques have been used for tube placement. Endoscopically placed feeding tubes provide access to the gastrointestinal tract, but only when patent. Use of the approaches presented permits optimal feeding tube care and prolongs tube patency. Table 1 summarizes the recommendations for preventing and restoring patency to feeding tubes.