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G‐tubes are made of silicone, polyurethane, or, rarely, latex rubber to provide the flexibility and durability needed for long‐term feeding. They serve as a direct pathway to the gut. G‐tubes are made up of one to three ports on the most proximal end, followed by a tube or shaft that carries nutrition to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and then a balloon or nonballoon retention device on the distal end (Figure 1.1). In some tubes, there are separate feeding and medication ports. Only in balloon G‐tubes is there a port that is used to expand the retention balloon. In addition, standard G‐tubes have an external retention device with air vents and feet that hold it 1–2 mm above the skin surface to prevent skin breakdown and keep the stoma site clean and dry.

There are advantages and disadvantages to balloon and nonballoon G‐tubes. The benefit of balloon G‐tubes is that they can be replaced at home; however, they are not as well tolerated as nonballoon retention devices because of the size of the balloon. Furthermore, balloon retention devices need to be changed more frequently than nonballoon G‐tubes (every three months compared to every six months, respectively). The main disadvantage of nonballoon G‐tubes is that every tube change has to be done by a medical professional.