Understanding Gastric Overpressure and Its Risks

Enteral feeding is a life-sustaining intervention for many individuals, but it can sometimes lead to gastric overpressure, where gas or fluid builds up in the stomach due to slow gastric emptying, impaired motility, or incorrect feeding rates.

Common symptoms of gastric pressure build-up include:

• Abdominal bloating or distension
• Nausea and vomiting
• Reflux and aspiration
• Discomfort or pain during feeding

If left unmanaged, this pressure can compromise patient safety and feeding efficacy. A decompression system like the Farrell Valve allows excess gas and fluid to escape continuously—without requiring intermittent venting or compromising nutrition.

How the Avanos Farrell Valve System Works

The Farrell Valve Closed Enteral Decompression System is uniquely designed to:

• Allow continuous venting of air and fluid from the stomach
• Return decompressed fluids back into the feeding reservoir to preserve nutrients
• Operate as a closed-loop system, maintaining sterility and minimising infection risk
• Connect via ENFit, ensuring safe and standardised enteral device compatibility

Key features:

• Pressure-sensitive one-way valve
• ENFit-compatible feeding line connectors
• Large capacity collection bag (typically ~500–1000ml)
• Clear fluid measurement markings
• Easy integration with existing enteral feeding setups

This system is particularly valuable for patients on long-term enteral feeds, such as those with neurological impairment, post-surgical complications, or delayed gastric emptying.

Clinical Indications and Use Cases

The Farrell Valve Enteral Decompression System is indicated in:

• Infants and children with delayed gastric emptying
• Adults with gastroparesis or chronic GI disorders
• Patients with neurological impairments (e.g., cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury)
• Individuals recovering from GI surgery
• Ventilator-dependent patients at risk of aspiration

Its ability to continuously remove gas and fluid prevents excessive pressure buildup, thereby:

• Reducing nausea and vomiting
• Improving feeding tolerance
• Enhancing comfort and quality of life
• Minimising the need for feed stoppage or tube removal

This makes it particularly valuable in both acute care and home nutrition programs.

Why Choose ENFit-Compatible Decompression Systems?

ENFit connectors are part of the global ISO 80369-3 safety initiative, which mandates connector standardisation in enteral systems to prevent misconnections. The Farrell Valve with ENFit ensures:

• Universal compatibility with ENFit feeding tubes and syringes
• Secure locking to prevent accidental disconnections
• Colour-coded ports for easy identification
• Reduction in human error and cross-device contamination

Since its adoption, ENFit has helped reduce medical errors in both hospital and home care settings. The Farrell Valve ENFit system is trusted in paediatrics and adult care alike, especially for high-risk patients prone to reflux or vomiting.

According to a 2020 clinical review in Nutrition in Clinical Practice, closed-loop ENFit decompression systems helped improve tolerance to enteral nutrition by reducing gastric retention in 84% of ventilated patients.

How to Use the Farrell Valve System

Setting up the Farrell Valve ENFit Decompression System is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Connect the ENFit valve to the feeding tube’s gastric port.
2. Attach the decompression bag to the valve outlet.
3. Ensure the tubing is free of kinks and allow gravity-assisted drainage.
4. Hang the decompression bag below the feeding tube level to encourage flow.
5. Monitor fluid levels and return flow where necessary.

Tips:

• Always flush the tube with sterile water before and after setup
• Replace the valve and bag system every 24 hours or as per clinical protocol
• Do not use in patients with total GI tract obstruction or contraindicated venting

For caregivers, always consult with a dietitian or clinician to assess individual suitability.