What is a feeding pump?

A feeding pump is a supplement to a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. A PEG creates a controlled opening in the abdominal wall, in which a tube system is placed. Liquids and nutritional solutions can be administered via this plastic tube. Practical administration is carried out using a larger syringe (without a cannula), which has previously been filled with a feeding solution, placed on the feeding tube and slowly emptied into the stomach via the tube system by applying pressure to the “syringe plunger”. The repeated administration of larger volumes of feeding solution is referred to as “bolus administration”. The administration of a bolus corresponds to a meal in which a larger amount of food is also ingested within a shorter period of time. Bolus administration is not tolerated by all patients. In some cases, the rapid filling of the stomach can be experienced as a feeling of fullness or pressure or be associated with reflux.

In the event of intolerance or non-acceptance of bolus feeds, the PEG tube system can be connected to a medical pump. The “feeding pump” transports the tube feed from the bag system (with which the food is delivered) into the tube system of the PEG and from there into the stomach. The speed at which the feeding solution is administered (milliliters per hour) can be precisely set and controlled on the feeding pump. By individually adjusting the pump speed, the stress of bolus administration (which may occur in individual cases) can be reduced and good tolerability of the nutrition therapy can be achieved. If the pumping speed is low, the administration of nutrition can take several hours. In this constellation, the nutritional solution can also be administered in the evening and at night.

Nutritionists with experience of PEG feeding are suitable contacts for weighing up between bolus administration and a feeding pump and for determining and implementing a personalized nutrition concept.