TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF ENTERAL NUTRITION

Advances in technical aspects of enteral feeding such as the manufactu re of tubes from polyurethane or silicone have helped promote the scie nce of enteral nutrition. Nasoenteral tubes have few complications, ap art from a high unwanted extubation rate and some reluctance from pati ents because of cosmetic unacceptability. Needle jejunostomy has low m orbidity but can only be placed at laparotomy. Percutaneous gastrotomy (in all its different guises) has been established as a low risk proc edure and is the access route of choice for longterm enteral feeding, in particular for cancer, geriatric, and neurological patients.