Tubefeeding is a type of enteral nutrition (nutrition in the form of an enteral formula, which is delivered into the digestive system in a liquid form). For tubefeeding, a small tube may be placed through the nose into the stomach or the small intestine. Sometimes it is surgically placed into the stomach or the intestinal tract through an opening made on the outside of the abdomen, depending on how long it will be used. People who are unable to meet their needs with food and beverages alone, and who do not have vomiting or uncontrollable diarrhea may be given tubefeedings. Tubefeeding can be used to add to what a person is able to eat or can be the only source of nutrition.
Tubefeeding is also frequently referred to as gavage feeding.
This article incorporates public domain material from the U.S. National Cancer Institute document "Dictionary of Cancer Terms".