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Eating and nutrition

RIG

Radiologically inserted gastrostomy

Another way of placing a feeding tube, guided by X-ray rather than by a camera down the throat.

What it means

The team watches on X-ray while placing the tube, so no camera has to pass the throat and deeper sedation is usually avoided. A fine tube through the nose is often still used to inflate the stomach first.

Why you might hear it

  • It is the usual alternative to a PEG, and may be raised where breathing is more affected.
  • Which one is offered varies by hospital as well as by circumstances.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.