What is involved with a feeding tube and is it permanent?

Answer 1

A feeding tube is used to provide nutrition to an individual who is not able to properly feed themselves. The feeding tube involves placing a tube in the esophagus or stomach in order pass nutrients through the body.

Answer 2

A feeding tube can be done in two ways - either a tiny tube through the nose, which goes down into the stomach (a naso-gastric tube), or a tube which goes directly into the stomach (A "gastric tube or G-tube"), which does require minor surgery to implant it.

A naso-gastric (NG) tube is quick and easy to administer and remove (but not at all pleasant).

A gastric tube is more semi-permenent, (they last longer than an NG tube) and are only used in patients who would either require many changes of naso-gastric tube, or do not tolerate a NG tube very well. Gastric tubes are removable/reversible (again requiring minor surgery), and will leave a tiny scar upon removal.

So neither a G tube or an NG tube is completely permanent.