About this topic
A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is also called PEG. It is a procedure where a feeding tube is directly placed into the stomach through a small cut in your belly. ‚
General
A PEG tube is a flexible tube placed within the stomach and is held in place with a balloon-like tip. The other end of the tube is taped to the outside skin. ‚
How to care for your PEG tube: ‚
- Flush the PEG tube with warm water 4 times a day to prevent clogging.
- Flush the PEG tube with 1 ounce of warm water if it becomes clogged.
- Do not push or pull the tube. Keep it in place.
- Your doctor may tell you to put a small gauze pad around the tube. There are special pads with a slit in them to make this easy for you to do.
- Clean the outside of the PEG tube with soap and water during normal bathing times.
- Do not use a wire to remove the clog in the tube. Your doctor may give you a special drug or a plastic brush to unclog the tube.
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What will the results be?
You will be able to get the food your body needs. ‚
Will there be any other care needed?
- Your doctor will tell you and your family how to use and take care of the PEG tube.
- Wash your hands before and after using the PEG tube.
- Keep the skin around the PEG tube clean and dry.
- It is important that you take care of your teeth. Brush your teeth regularly and visit your dentist.
What problems could happen?
- Leakage of stomach contents around the tube
- Clog in the tube
- Tube gets pulled out by accident
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of PEG 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
- PEG tube falls out
- PEG 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 to care for my PEG tube.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have leaking around the tube, my PEG tube falls out or gets clogged.
Where can I learn more?
American College of Gastroenterology ‚
http://patients.gi.org/topics/percutaneous-endoscopic-gastrostomy-peg/ ‚
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ‚
http://www.asge.org/patients/patients.aspx?id=394 ‚
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. ‚