A new study by researchers at Troy University found that right-angle feeding tubes used for enteral nutrition patients performed comparably to the straight feeding tubes recommended in enteral nutrition guidelines.
The undergraduate research project, led by Teresa Johnson, DCN, RDN, FAND, and Amy Spurlock, Ph.D., RN, “has found that right-angle feeding tubes perform comparably to straight tubes across various food types and viscosity levels,” a June 23 news announcement said. “This challenges current guidelines that recommend straight tubes due to clogging concerns.”
Before they began the study, researchers conducted a survey of families and health-care providers that revealed a preference for “right-angle tubes for pediatric patients. These tubes tend to be more comfortable, especially under clothing, and easier to secure on active children.”
“Our goal was to put real-world practice to the test,” said Johnson, the program coordinator for bachelor of science in nutrition at Troy University, in the announcement. “If we’re telling parents and practitioners that a straight tube is the only safe way to deliver blended nutrition, but they’re routinely using right-angle tubes without issues, we need to examine the science more closely.”
Researchers studied the flow of multiple food types — including commercial formulas of various viscosities, as well as homemade blended meals — through both right-angle and straight tubes. One of the undergraduate researchers noted, “We wanted to simulate what a parent might actually prepare at home with the guidance of a dietitian.”
The study revealed that for nearly all viscosities and food types, “right-angle tubes performed comparably to their straight counterparts in terms of flow rate and clogging,” the announcement said. “In some cases, especially with medium-viscosity blends, the right-angle tube showed slightly better flow consistency when using a syringe.”
The findings could give clinicians more choices when working with families, the study’s authors said. “This isn’t about rewriting the guidelines overnight,” Johnson said. “It’s about creating space for conversations between dietitians, physicians, caregivers, and patients. It’s about asking, ‘What works best for this child?’”
The study was submitted to the Nutrition in Clinical Practice Journal and is currently under review. Troy University is based in Troy, Alabama.
