What are the other names for G tube?: Exploring Gastrostomy Tube Nutrition

October 16, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, enteral feeding via a tube directly into the gut is superior to total parenteral nutrition due to fewer infectious complications and lower costs. For many patients, understanding what are the other names for G tube? is the first step in navigating this vital form of nutritional support, which ensures essential nutrients are delivered when oral intake is compromised.

Quick Summary

A guide to the terminology and function of gastrostomy tubes used for nutrition. When oral intake is inadequate, these surgically placed devices deliver essential nutrients directly to the stomach. The article details common names like PEG tube and G-button, explores different types, and outlines best practices for feeding and care.

Key Points

Diverse Terminology: A G-tube is also known as a gastrostomy tube, PEG tube, G-button, or low-profile gastrostomy tube, depending on its type and placement method.
Vital Nutritional Support: G-tubes provide essential nutrition and hydration when oral intake is difficult or impossible, preventing malnutrition and aiding recovery.
Variety of Feeding Methods: Nutrition can be delivered via the G-tube using either a pump for continuous feeding or a syringe for intermittent (bolus) feeding.
Essential Daily Care: Proper daily care, including cleaning the stoma site and flushing the tube, is critical to prevent complications like infection and clogging.
Enhanced Quality of Life: For those requiring tube feeding, a G-tube can improve comfort, reduce anxiety associated with oral eating, and enable a better overall quality of life.
Low-Profile Button Advantage: After initial healing, a smaller, discreet G-button can replace the initial long tube, offering greater comfort and mobility.

Understanding the Role of Gastrostomy Tubes in Nutrition

A gastrostomy tube, commonly known as a G-tube, is a medical device inserted through a small incision in the abdomen directly into the stomach. This method, called enteral feeding, is used to provide nutrition, fluids, and medication to individuals who are unable to consume them orally. Reasons for needing a G-tube are diverse and can include neurological disorders, head and neck cancers, congenital abnormalities, or issues with swallowing due to illness or injury. For these patients, a G-tube is a lifeline, preventing malnutrition and dehydration and significantly improving their quality of life by ensuring they receive the nourishment necessary to thrive.

What are the other names for G tube? A glossary of terms

For those new to the world of tube feeding, the various terms can be confusing. Here is a list of the common alternative names for a G-tube and the context in which they are used:

Gastrostomy tube: This is the most formal and widely recognized term, derived from the procedure 'gastrostomy,' which refers to the surgical creation of an opening into the stomach. It is a general term encompassing all tubes inserted directly into the stomach.
PEG tube: The acronym for Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy tube. This name specifies the method of insertion, which uses an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera) to guide the placement. It is one of the most common types of G-tube.
G-button (or Low-profile gastrostomy tube): After the initial wound tract has healed, a longer G-tube is often replaced with a shorter, more discreet button-like device. The button sits flush with the skin, making it less obtrusive and easier to conceal under clothing. Popular brand names include MIC-KEY™ and MiniOne®.
Long-tube gastrostomy: This refers to the traditional, longer G-tube that extends several inches from the abdomen. It is often the first device placed before the tract is mature enough for a G-button.
Enteral feeding tube: This is a broader, overarching category that includes any tube delivering nutrition to the gastrointestinal tract. A G-tube is a specific type of enteral feeding tube, along with nasogastric (NG) tubes and jejunostomy (J) tubes.
Gastrostomy-jejunostomy tube (GJ-tube): This is a specialized device with two ports. It enters the stomach like a G-tube but has a second tube that extends into the jejunum (part of the small intestine). It is used when feeding directly into the stomach is not possible or desirable.

Comparing Different Types of Gastrostomy Devices


Feature	PEG Tube (Long Tube)	Low-Profile Button (G-button)
Appearance	A longer, more visible tube extending from the abdomen.	A discreet, button-like device that lies flat against the skin.
Placement	Usually the initial device placed after a gastrostomy procedure, guided by an endoscope.	Replaces the initial long tube after the stoma (skin opening) has healed, typically 3-8 weeks after placement.
Maintenance	The external bumper is a disc that sits against the skin. Care involves cleaning around this disc and the tube.	The button has a cap that opens and closes for feeds, with an extension set attached during feeding. Easier to care for than the long tube.
Comfort and Activity	The dangling tube can snag on objects or be pulled easily.	More comfortable and less likely to get caught or be accidentally dislodged, suitable for more active lifestyles.
Replacement	Can be replaced with a new long tube or a low-profile button.	Replacement is often a simple bedside procedure, provided the tract is mature.
Pros	Good for initial placement. Can be used for decompression if needed.	Discreet, comfortable, and less prone to accidental removal.
Cons	More cumbersome, can be pulled or snagged. May cause more skin irritation.	Cannot be placed initially. Requires an extension set for feeding.

Managing a Nutrition Diet through a G Tube

Managing a nutrition diet with a G-tube involves several steps to ensure the patient receives optimal nourishment. A dietitian typically creates a personalized nutrition plan based on the individual's needs, health status, and feeding tolerance.

Types of Feed: The diet can consist of commercially prepared formulas that come in various compositions (e.g., standard, high-calorie, fiber-enriched) or blenderized diets made from whole foods. A blenderized diet may require a more powerful blender and careful preparation to ensure it flows smoothly without clogging the tube.
Feeding Methods: There are two primary methods for administering feeds:
- Bolus feeding: Delivering a larger volume of formula over a short period, typically several times a day, mimicking mealtimes. This can be done using a syringe or a gravity feed bag.
- Continuous feeding: Administering formula continuously over many hours, often overnight, using a feeding pump to control the rate.
Proper Positioning: For all feeds, the patient should be positioned with their head elevated at least 30 to 45 degrees to prevent the risk of aspiration (inhaling stomach contents).

Nestlé Health Science offers a guide to different tube feeding methods, which can be a valuable resource for caregivers and patients: https://www.nestlehealthscience.us/mytubefeeding/tube-feeding-education.

Daily Care and Common Complications

Proper G-tube care is essential to prevent infection and other issues. This includes:

Hand Hygiene: Always wash hands thoroughly before and after handling the tube or stoma site.
Site Cleaning: Clean the stoma site daily with mild soap and water, gently removing any crusting or drainage. Pat the area dry.
Tube Flushing: Flush the tube with water before and after each feeding or medication to prevent clogging.
Rotation: For tubes with internal bumpers, rotating the tube daily can help prevent scar tissue from forming (check with your doctor first).

Common complications include leakage, tube clogging, and dislodgement. Leakage can often be managed by ensuring proper tube placement and using protective barriers. For clogs, flushing with warm water is usually effective, but persistent clogs may require medical intervention. Accidental dislodgement is an emergency, especially in new stomas, and requires immediate medical attention.

Conclusion: The Impact of G-Tube Nutrition on Quality of Life

While adapting to a G-tube can be challenging, it provides a safe and effective pathway for long-term nutrition, hydration, and medication. By understanding what are the other names for G tube?, patients and caregivers can better navigate the options and care protocols. The ability to meet nutritional needs reliably can significantly improve health outcomes, reduce stress, and allow individuals to focus on other aspects of their well-being and recovery. Through proper care, education, and support from healthcare professionals, life with a gastrostomy tube can be manageable and fulfilling.

Frequently Asked Questions

A PEG tube is a long, visible gastrostomy tube, often the first one placed. A G-button is a low-profile device that sits flush with the skin and replaces the initial PEG tube after the stoma has healed, providing greater comfort and discretion.

This depends on the patient's specific medical condition. Many individuals with a G-tube can still eat and drink small amounts by mouth, especially if the tube is used for supplemental feeding. It is crucial to follow the healthcare provider's recommendations.

To care for the skin around a G-tube (the stoma), it should be cleaned once or twice daily with mild soap and water. The area should be kept clean and dry to prevent irritation and infection.

If a G-tube becomes clogged, try flushing it gently with warm water using a syringe. If this is unsuccessful after a few attempts, contact your healthcare provider. Never use sharp objects to clear the tube.

Possible risks and complications include accidental tube dislodgement, infection at the stoma site, peristomal leakage, or tube malfunction like clogging. Proper care and monitoring can minimize these risks.

G-tubes can be placed endoscopically (as a PEG tube), radiologically, or surgically. The most common is the PEG procedure, where an endoscope is used to guide the tube through the abdominal wall into the stomach.

A G-tube can be temporary or permanent, depending on the reason for its placement. If the underlying medical issue resolves, the tube can be removed, and the stoma will heal. Many patients only need it for a limited time.