Enteral Nutrition is the delivery of nutrients into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is commonly given as liquid formula through a feeding tube or, in some settings, by carefully structured oral nutrition plans. It is used when a person cannot eat enough by mouth but the gut can still digest and absorb nutrients. It is widely applied in hospitals, intensive care units, oncology care, and perioperative GI and surgical practice.
Nutritional Support is a set of clinical strategies used to provide calories, protein, fluids, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals when usual eating is not enough. It can be delivered by mouth, through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract using feeding tubes, or intravenously as parenteral nutrition. It is commonly used in hospitalized patients, perioperative care, cancer care, and chronic GI or liver disease. The goal is to maintain or restore nutritional status while underlying disease is evaluated or treated.
Ostomy Care is the clinical support and routine management of a surgically created opening (stoma) that diverts intestinal contents to the skin surface. It commonly includes selecting and fitting an ostomy pouching system and protecting the skin around the stoma (peristomal skin). It is used after many colorectal and small-bowel surgeries, including temporary or permanent diversions. It is taught and coordinated across surgery, gastroenterology, nursing, and wound-ostomy-continence (WOC) specialties.
Ileostomy is a surgically created opening that brings the end of the small intestine (the ileum) to the skin. It allows intestinal contents to leave the body without passing through the colon or rectum. Output is collected in an external pouching system attached to the abdominal wall. It is commonly used in colorectal surgery and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care.
A Colostomy is a surgically created opening that brings part of the colon (large intestine) to the skin of the abdomen. Stool exits the body through this opening, called a stoma, into an external pouching system. It is commonly used in colorectal surgery to divert fecal flow away from the rectum or a diseased segment of bowel. It may be temporary or permanent, depending on the underlying condition and surgical plan.
A Stoma is an opening created to connect an internal organ to the surface of the body. In gastroenterology and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, it most often refers to a surgically created bowel opening for stool diversion. A Stoma is commonly discussed in colorectal surgery, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care, cancer care, and perioperative management. It is also used for access routes such as feeding (e.g., gastrostomy), depending on context.
Abdominal Paracentesis is a procedure that removes fluid from the abdominal cavity using a needle or catheter. The fluid is taken from the peritoneal cavity, the space around abdominal organs. It is commonly used in patients with ascites, which means excess abdominal fluid. It is performed in hospitals and clinics by gastroenterology, hepatology, internal medicine, and procedural teams.
Thoracentesis is a procedure that removes fluid from the pleural space, the thin gap between the lung and chest wall. It is commonly used to evaluate why pleural fluid has accumulated and to relieve shortness of breath. The removed fluid can be tested in a laboratory to help identify infection, cancer, or systemic disease. In gastroenterology and hepatology, it is most often discussed when liver, pancreatic, or malignancy-related conditions cause pleural effusions.
Paracentesis is a procedure that removes fluid from the abdominal cavity. It is most commonly used when fluid has collected in the peritoneal space, a condition called ascites. It can be done to diagnose the cause of fluid buildup or to relieve symptoms from pressure. Gastroenterology and hepatology teams often use it in patients with liver disease and related complications.
Transjugular Liver Biopsy is a liver tissue sampling procedure performed through a neck vein. It is commonly used when a standard “through-the-skin” liver biopsy may carry higher bleeding risk. A catheter is guided into the liver’s veins, and biopsy samples are taken from inside the venous system. It is typically performed in hospitals by interventional radiology teams in coordination with GI and liver clinicians.