Why is a g tube placed

Ask your doctor or nurse for instructions on how to change the tube. In most cases, it is no more difficult than changing an earring. Gastrostomy G Tubes. Best thing ever. My two daughters had NG-tubes for 9 months or so and they pulled them out up to 8 times a day. Complete nightmare having to rethread them. G-tube is amazing. Best thing we could have done for our son! He was on an NG for about 6 months before we switched. G-tube has been in since October and we love it!!

It was a good choice for us. The G-tube went in during another abdominal surgery. My son was a ninja when it came to pulling out his NG-tube. I did get good enough at placing NG-tubes that I could do it by myself on a squirmy infant, but I hated having to do so. We were so nervous about the transition.

Overall though it has been the best choice we have made!!! Our son has made so much progress since we switched him to a G-button! I hated the idea at first, but it seriously was the best choice. Best thing we ever did! Took away the stress of trying to get formula or extra calories into him.

It has been a positive experience for us and so glad we did it. I was definitely nervous at first, but for us the G-tube was easier and less stress. I was constantly worrying about her pulling the NG-tube out. All in all, I can tell a huge difference in her personality. We just made the switch a month ago. Myths and Facts. Myth: A G-tube is Permanent. Fact: No feeding tube is permanent. A G-tube can be removed easily when it is no longer needed. Kids can just as easily wean from a G-tube as an NG-tube.

In fact, G-tubes may make it more comfortable for a child to eat orally. Myth: G-tubes are prone to infection. Fact: G-tube infections do happen, but not to everyone and very rarely. G-tube infections are usually very easily treated. Myth: Getting a G-tube is giving up on your child as an oral eater.

Fact: Many kids with G-tubes actually eat some of their diet orally. In fact, sometimes kids eat more with a G-tube because they no longer feel as pressured to eat, and the G-tube is much easier to eat orally with.

Myth: Kids with G-tubes can't eat orally. Fact: There is no reason your child cannot eat orally with a G-tube, as long as he or she is safe to swallow.

Kids with G-tubes who used to eat orally typically continue to eat orally after they receive their G-tubes. PEG and Long Tubes.

Low Profile Tubes or Buttons. Balloon Buttons Balloon buttons are held in place by a water-filled balloon. Non-Balloon Buttons Some surgeons and gastroenterologists prefer the first G-tube to be a non-balloon button. Gastric Tube Considerations. G-tubes can be more comfortable than nasal tubes and are a safer option for longer-term tube feeding. The balloon button G-tubes can be replaced at home by a trained parent or caregiver. Balloon buttons and tubes typically need to be replaced every 3 months, while non-balloon buttons need to changed less often, between every 6 months to a year.

G-tubes need to be placed surgically or endoscopically, and there is a recovery period after. Little hands may also pull out G-tubes.

A common complication of G-tubes is the formation of granulation tissue which looks like red, overgrown tissue around the tube site during the healing process. It may also bleed easily. For more information, see the Granulation Tissue page.

Sizing for G-tubes. Caring for the New Stoma. Less is more with tube site care, particularly in the beginning. Cleanse the area around the GT with water daily. After cleaning the skin around the gastrostomy tube dry well. When your child has an AMT mini-oneskin level button in place you will be using feeding extension sets. A feeding extension set is a special tube that connects to the gastrostomy tube and allows formula, liquids and medicines to be given into the stomach.

There are two types of sets available for use with an AMT mini-one skin level tube. These are a 1 bolus set and a 2 right angle set. The bolus set is used for feedings given by gravity through a syringe.

The right angle set is used for slow or continuous feedings, given by a pump. Either tube can serve as a decompression tube to drain air or liquid from the stomach. The decompression tube is used if a child has too much gas which can't be burped up or if the child is very uncomfortable and appears to have a bloated or full abdomen.

The gastrostomy tube will need to be replaced when there is a malfunction, a poor fit or when it has been in for several months. Most parents are taught, in the hospital or office, how to change the gastrostomy tube and are comfortable changing the tube on their own.

However, you can bring your child to the office or, in many cases, a home care nurse can be sent to your home to help you change the tube. A spare gastrostomy tube of the same size should be with your child at all times in case the balloon ruptures and replacement is required.

It is important to know the size of your child's gastrostomy tube. It is printed in black letters on top of the gastrostomy tube. We recommend that you write down the size of your child's tube on this document or some place where you can find it when needed. This will help you when reordering supplies and talking with your child's doctors and nurses.

You will need to call the home care company monthly to reorder more supplies, so keep your home care company name and phone number readily available. We recommend you place your order when you have about one week of supplies left. Do not wait until you are out of supplies. Supplies are rarely shipped without a phone call and it is possible to run out of supplies. When your shipment arrives at your home, check the order. If you are missing anything, or the supplies are not correct, call your home care company directly.

If you cannot resolve the problem contact your GI or surgical nurse for help. Sometimes a new prescription from your child's doctor is required. Gateway Medical Building Fourth St. Gastrostomy Tubes Gastrostomy tubes are feeding tubes placed through the abdomen into the stomach.

Surgically Inserted Gastrostomy Tubes The pediatric surgeon places a gastrostomy tube in the operating room under general anesthesia. General Feedings Guidelines Give feedings and medications as directed by your nurse or doctor. The bumper secures the tube on the inside of the body. The outer portion of the tube is secured with a bumper also. Sterile gauze is placed around the incision site. Once the tube is in place, the stomach is deflated and the scope is removed.

The PEG tube is secured to the abdomen with tape. Most PEG procedures take 30—45 minutes and require no stay in the hospital.

Patients receiving a PEG tube usually return home the same day, unless they are in the hospital for treatment of another condition. The open surgical procedure requires general anesthesia, which means that your child will not be awake when the tube is placed.

A G-tube is not usually placed this way, unless your child is having other stomach surgery at the same time, or if he or she cannot tolerate an endoscopy having a long, thin tube guided through the mouth, down the throat, into the stomach.

The surgeon begins by making a small incision or cut through the skin, abdominal wall and, once in the body, another one into the stomach. A tube is placed through the skin and into the stomach, and is stitched into place. The surgeon then closes the incision. Your child may have an internal examination of her stomach done with an endoscope before the G-tube is actually placed.

Your child's stomach should be as empty as possible before receiving the gastrostomy. The night before, make sure he or she eats a light meal at dinner and does not eat or drink anything after midnight, unless told otherwise by your doctor. Bring soft, comfortable changes of clothing to the hospital. Before it is used for feeding, the doctor may take an X-ray to make sure that the G-tube is in the correct place. For a couple of days after the procedure, your child may have minor pain and soreness at the incision site.

It may feel like a pulled muscle. Your doctor can prescribe pain medications to relieve any discomfort. He or she may need to be fed with intravenous IV fluids for the first day or two after G-tube placement. Once the doctor makes sure your child's stomach and intestines are ready, your child will be started on clear liquids, and gradually advanced to thicker liquids and solid foods through the G-tube as tolerated.

It is a good idea for your child to upright — sitting or standing — for 30—60 minutes after eating. The foods your child is receiving now are generally pre-prepared, and are sold commercially. A dietician will help with a specific diet based on your child's nutritional needs. Depending on the reason for the tube and your doctor's recommendation, your child may still be able to have regular food and drink by mouth.

Even if this is not the case, your child will not lose sensations of hunger or fullness while using a G-tube. Before leaving the hospital, you and your child if he or she is old enough , will learn how to care for the tube, administer feedings, and check for problems.

Your healthcare provider's job is to make sure that you feel comfortable enough to do these things on your own, at home. He or she will physically show you what to do, step by step. Don't hesitate to call if you run into any additional questions about G-tube care once you and your child are home.

You may want to have a nurse come to your home and help until you are comfortable with the feedings. Complications are not common during either type of gastrostomy procedure. Once the tube is in place and your child has recovered from the procedure, he or she can usually return to his or her normal activities.

Still, it is important to stay on the lookout for complications, so that they can be addressed right away if they do occur. Sometimes the G-tube is accidentally dislodged, most commonly during the first two weeks after its placement. Call the doctor right away if this happens, as the hole in the stomach where the G-tube is located heals very quickly.