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Jejunostomy tube care and feeding
This page has a series of online learning sessions that have been specifically created to support families and professionals learn about jejunostomy tube care and feeding. Please take your time to watch through each session.
Objectives of the session
- To be able to deliver the same standards of high quality care to all children and young people.
- To be able to provide care safely, understand the procedure, need and relevance of the training.
- To feel confident and competent in the care you deliver.
Jejunostomy tube care and feeding
A jejunostomy tube is a tube that is inserted through the skin and into the first part of the intestine called the jejunum. This sessions covers the care needed for direct and transgastric jejunal tubes. Jejunal tubes are always inserted and replaced in hospital.
Why is it needed?
- poor gastric emptying/severe slow bowel
- volume restriction
- failed Nissen's fundoplication
- severe reflux
- reduce risk of aspiration
Types of feeding tube
- Naso-jejunal tube
- Transfastric jejunostomy tube
- Direct jejunostomy tube
Differences to enteral feeding
- jejunum is not a storage organ
- slower feed rates
- no bolus feeds
- not suitable for blended diets
Risks
The jejunal part can be dislodged back into the stomach. Some signs and symptoms to look for include:
- increase in reflux symptoms or discomfort
- feed appearing in a gastric sample or in the gastric drainage bag
Last reviewed: 1 November, 2023
