Stomach Tube with Closed Distal End 18FG

Product Overview

Key Benefits

• Optimized for safe and efficient gastric drainage and decompression.
• Ideal for administering liquid nutrition or medication directly into the stomach.
• Features a closed distal end with a smooth, rounded tip for atraumatic insertion.
• Equipped with multiple smoothly finished lateral eyes to minimize blockage and enhance fluid flow.
• Made from medical-grade, non-toxic material for patient safety.
• Includes clear, prominent depth markings for precise placement and monitoring.
• Sterile and individually packaged for single-use application, reducing the risk of infection.

Product Details

• Gauge: 18 French Gauge (FG), indicating a specific diameter suitable for various medical procedures.
• Design: Features a closed distal end with multiple smoothly finished lateral eyes to prevent tissue trauma during insertion and ensure effective drainage or feeding.
• Material: Typically constructed from high-quality, medical-grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC), known for its flexibility, durability, and biocompatibility.
• Radiopacity: Often incorporates a radiopaque line throughout its length for clear visibility under X-ray, facilitating accurate confirmation of tube placement.
• Length: Designed with an appropriate length for effective gastric access, typically ranging from 105 cm to 120 cm.
• Sterility: Supplied sterile and intended for single-use to maintain aseptic conditions and ensure patient safety.

How to Use

1. Confirm the correct tube size (18FG) and intended use as per medical orders and patient assessment.
2. Verify the integrity of the sterile packaging and check the expiry date before opening.
3. Position the patient appropriately, typically in a semi-Fowler's position, to facilitate insertion.
4. Measure the required insertion length, commonly from the tip of the nose to the earlobe and then to the xiphoid process.
5. Lubricate the distal end of the tube with a water-soluble lubricant to ease insertion and minimize discomfort.
6. Gently insert the tube through the chosen nostril or oral cavity, guiding it down the pharynx.
7. Encourage the patient to swallow during insertion to aid the passage of the tube into the esophagus.
8. Advance the tube to the pre-measured length, carefully observing the depth markings.
9. Confirm accurate tube placement using appropriate methods such as X-ray verification, aspiration of gastric contents for pH testing, or auscultation.
10. Secure the tube in place using appropriate fixation methods and connect it to the desired drainage system or feeding pump.
11. Document the procedure, tube size, insertion length, and confirmation method in the patient's medical record.

Caution & Warnings

• For professional medical use only. This device should be inserted and managed by trained healthcare personnel.
• Do not use if the sterile packaging is damaged, opened, or if the expiry date has passed.
• This product is strictly intended for single-use only. Reuse may compromise sterility, lead to device malfunction, and increase the risk of infection.
• Always ensure proper tube placement is accurately confirmed before administering any substances, starting enteral feeding, or initiating gastric drainage.
• Monitor patients closely for any signs of discomfort, respiratory distress, gagging, or other complications during and after tube insertion.
• Exercise extreme caution in patients with known esophageal strictures, esophageal varices, or those who have recently undergone gastrointestinal surgery.
• Dispose of the tube and all related materials according to local hospital protocol and established biohazard waste regulations after use.
• Store the product in its original packaging in a cool, dry place, protected from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Ingredients

• Medical-grade Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or similar biocompatible polymer for the tube construction.
• Radiopaque material (e.g., Barium Sulfate) integrated into the tube wall for X-ray visibility.
• Some variants may be phthalate-free for enhanced patient safety.