| Timing of tube insertion |
| Prophylactic |
| More effective weight maintenance |
| Decreased need for additional hospitalization |
| Better quality of life |
| Reactive |
| Feeding tube avoided if unnecessary |
| Decreased risk of delayed dysphagia |
| Less prolonged use of enteral feeding |
| Feeding tube |
| Nasogastric |
| Easier to insert |
| Decreased risk of serious complications |
| Lower costs |
| Potentially shorter duration of tube dependency |
| Pharyngoesophageal dilatation less likely to be required |
| Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy |
| More comfortable than a nasogastric tube |
| Less likely to be displaced |
| More effective weight maintenance |
| Improved quality of life |
| Unlimited duration of use possible |
