About this topic
Gastrostomy is a procedure done to place a feeding tube into the stomach. This kind of feeding tube is often called a G-tube. Patients who cannot eat or drink or have trouble swallowing food may need a feeding tube. These patients may include patients who had a stroke, brain injury, cancer, and other health conditions. ‚
In this type of gastrostomy, a cut is made in the belly to place the feeding tube into the stomach. You may need the tube for a shot time or for the rest of your life. Talk to your doctor about how long you will need your G-tube. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor will talk with you and your family about how to use and take care of the feeding tube.
- Your doctor or dietitian will order a liquid food diet to put through your feeding tube. They will tell you how much food and water you need each day.
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor. Most drugs can be crushed, put in water, and given through the feeding tube. Ask your doctor about your drugs and if they can be given through the feeding tube.
- The cut site takes about 5 days to heal.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Wash your hands before and after touching your G-tube.
- Avoid creams and powders around the tube unless ordered by the doctor.
- Do not push or pull the tube. Keep it in place.
- Keep the skin around the tube clean and dry.
- Clean the outside of the tube each day. Use soap and water on a cotton-tipped swab.
- Flush the tube with warm water 4 times a day to prevent clogging. Do this after giving drugs and liquid food as well.
- Flush the tube with 1 ounce of water if it gets clogged.
- Do not put bandages between the bumper of the tube and your skin.
- It is important that you take care of your teeth and mouth even though you are not eating regular food. Brush your teeth regularly and visit your dentist.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You may need to talk with a dietician to make sure you are getting all the calories and nutrition needed.
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Rest for a few days after the procedure. Avoid activities like heavy lifting and hard exercise. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Leakage of stomach contents around the tube
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Clog in the tube
- Tube falls out
- Skin irritation
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of tube site infection. These include fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C); chills; swelling, redness, warmth around the tube; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the site; cut site opens up.
- Belly pain after feeding
- Loose or hard stools
- Leaking around the tube
- Tube falls out
- Tube gets clogged
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how I will take care of my gastrostomy.
- I can tell you what I will do if the tube falls out or is leaking or clogged.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/surgery/g_tube.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚