Feeding Tubes: Three Perspectives

Abstract

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes, or PEG tubes, look innocuous enough—narrow, plastic, pliable tubes, that when inserted into the stomach protrude approximately 3 to 5 inches and can be attached to a bag of liquid food. How can something so seemingly straightforward create so much controversy and evoke such intense emotion? It seems that part of the answer lies in the fact that nobody sees the same thing when they look at a feeding tube. This article will present three different views of gastrostomy tubes and challenge practitioners to think beyond traditional models.

Keywords:

• decision-making
• disability
• ethics
• feeding tubes