When feeding via g-tube for medical reasons, extension tubes are used to connect the syringe or IV tubing to the actual g-tube button. Extension tubes are a bit expensive. I endeavor to make mine last as long as possible. There are two keys I have found to be important in this effort:
- keeping the extension tube dry
- only having one extension tube in use (or at most 2) at a time
After feeding Little Miss, I clean the extension tube and syringe and put them in a basket lined with a cloth napkin in my cabinet until the next use.
Extension tubes degrade when exposed to water and air. They become stiff rather than flexible. I keep the clamp open, so as not to stress the plastic.
When an extension tube is creased by the clamp and I have to squeeze that crease or crimp with my fingers to open it, I know the tube is done for.
