Gastrostomy Feeding Tube Placement

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KEY POINTS

• Gastrostomy feeding tube placement is a procedure to put a tube through your belly to give you fluid, liquid food, and medicines.
• Ask your provider how long it will take to recover and how to take care of yourself at home.
• Make sure you know what symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them.

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What is gastrostomy feeding tube placement?

Gastrostomy feeding tube placement is a procedure for putting a tube directly into your stomach through your belly wall. The tube can be used to give you fluid, liquid food, and medicines.

When is it used?

This procedure may be done if you cannot eat or swallow normally. For example, you may need a gastrostomy feeding tube if:

• You cannot swallow because you have cancer of the mouth or throat or have had a stroke or you have another problem with swallowing.
• You cannot eat enough food, or your body is not getting all of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs. For example, you are getting medical treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, that is making it hard for you to eat enough.

Before having a gastrostomy feeding tube, you may have a temporary feeding tube that is passed through your nose or mouth and down into your stomach. A gastrostomy tube is more comfortable than a nose tube and it may be used if you need a feeding tube for a longer time.

Ask your healthcare provider about your choices for treatment and the risks.

How do I prepare for this procedure?

• Make plans for your care and recovery after you have the procedure. Find someone to give you a ride home after the procedure. Allow for time to rest and try to find other people to help with your day-to-day tasks while you recover.
• Follow your provider's instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers may have more breathing problems during the procedure and heal more slowly. It is best to quit 6 to 8 weeks before surgery.
• Tell your provider if you have any food, medicine, or other allergies such as latex.
• You may or may not need to take your regular medicines the day of the procedure. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines and supplements that you take. Some products may increase your risk of side effects. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to avoid taking any medicine or supplements before the procedure.
• Your provider will tell you when to stop eating and drinking before the procedure, including fluid and foods that are given through a temporary feeding tube. This helps to keep you from vomiting during the procedure.
• Follow any other instructions your provider gives you.
• Ask any questions you have before the procedure. You should understand what your healthcare provider is going to do. You have the right to make decisions about your healthcare and to give permission for any tests or procedures.

What happens during the procedure?

You will be given a local, regional, or general anesthetic before the procedure to keep you from feeling pain. Local and regional anesthesia numb part of your body while you stay awake. You may be given medicine with the local or regional anesthetic to help you relax. General anesthesia relaxes your muscles and puts you into a deep sleep.

An endoscope is a slim, flexible, lighted tube passed through your mouth to look at your esophagus and stomach. Your healthcare provider will use the endoscope during the procedure just to see the inside of the stomach. The endoscope is removed at the end of the procedure.

Your healthcare provider will then make a cut in the left side of your belly and put a tube in your stomach or the first part of your intestines. The tube will be held in place by a small fluid-filled balloon or a plastic cap inside your stomach. Your healthcare provider will attach the tube inside your stomach and to your skin.

What happens after the procedure?

This procedure is usually done in a hospital or surgery center. You may go home the same day, or you may stay in the hospital for several days, depending on your condition. You will be taught how to use and care for the feeding tube before you leave the hospital. It can usually be used within 12 to 24 hours after the procedure. You may have some soreness where the tube goes into your belly.

Liquid food may be passed through the tube into your stomach with a special syringe or with a pump. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions for how much, when, how long, and how often you should take in liquid food and other fluids. If you need the tube for a long time, it may need to be replaced with a new tube some time later. Replacing the tube is a procedure that often can be done in your provider's office.

Discuss your medicines with your healthcare provider. You can get many medicines in liquid form instead of tablets and they can be given through the feeding tube with a syringe. Other medicines can be dissolved in water and given through the feeding tube. Always flush the feeding tube with water after putting medicines or food in it to keep the tube from getting clogged.

You may have changes in your bowel movements. Your bowel movements may be looser, or they may be less frequent and harder than normal.

Make sure that your feeding tube is carefully secured to your belly. A feeding tube should not keep you from returning to work or most activities. If you have questions about this, ask your healthcare provider.

Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. Ask your provider:

• How long it will take to recover
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

You can get more information on support groups, diet, equipment, and other concerns from:

• The United Ostomy Associations of America
  800-826-0826
  http://www.ostomy.org/

What are the risks of this procedure?

Every procedure or treatment has risks. Some possible risks of this procedure include:

• You may have problems with anesthesia.
• You may have infection or bleeding
• Other parts of your body may be injured during the surgery.

Ask your healthcare provider how these risks apply to you. Be sure to discuss any other questions or concerns that you may have.