Medical Condition Library

Information Centers

Wellness Centers

Helpful Resources

Gastrostomy: Permanent and Temporary

by Editorial Staff And Contributors

Definition

Reasons for Procedure

Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Definition

A gastrostomy makes a new path for food to enter the body. A tube is placed through the belly and into the stomach. It may only be needed until other areas heal or need to stay in permanently. Gastrostomy can be done as:

Endoscopic procedure—a more common and less invasive procedure called percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)
Open procedure—a large incision is made in the abdomen

Reasons for Procedure TOP

A gastrostomy is needed if food is not able to pass through the mouth and throat. It may be needed to feed a person that has:

A hard time swallowing
Appetite problems
Otherwise unable to eat

It may also be used to drain a build up of acid or fluids. This may be needed with blockages such as those caused by a cancer growth.

Gastric Tube

Possible Complications TOP

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

Infection
Bleeding
Aspiration—accidental sucking into the airways of fluid, food, or any foreign material
Damage to other organs
Anesthesia-related problems
Skin irritation around the tube
Dislodging or malfunctioning of the tube
Diarrhea

Complications are more common in older adults. Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

Obesity or diabetes
Smoking, alcohol use disorder, or drug abuse
Use of certain prescription medications
Prior abdominal surgeries

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the surgery.

What to Expect TOP

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor will review previous tests and your health history. This will include review of:

X-rays of the abdomen
Upper GI endoscopy—use of a tube with a lighted camera is used to view the inside of the stomach

Leading up to your procedure:

Talk to your doctor about your medicine. You may be asked to stop taking some medicine up to one week before the procedure.
Avoid food or fluids after midnight before surgery.
Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be used. It will block any pain and keep you asleep through the surgery.

Description of the Procedure TOP

A gastrostomy may be done at the same time as another stomach surgery.

An incision will be made through the skin and the belly wall. The last cut will be made in the stomach. A tube will then be placed through the skin and into the stomach. This tube will be stitched in place. The incision will be closed.

Immediately After Procedure TOP

The doctor will make sure that the tube is placed correctly. You will be moved to the recovery room. The care team will watch you for any complications.

How Long Will It Take? TOP

At least 1 hour

How Much Will It Hurt? TOP

The area will be painful after the surgery. Medicine will help with the pain until you heal.

Average Hospital Stay TOP

This procedure is done in a hospital setting. You will stay 1 to 2 to make sure the tube is secure. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise.

Post-procedure Care TOP

After the procedure, you can expect the following:

You may need to get nutrition through an IV for the first couple of days. Clear liquids will be passed through the tube first. You will then be moved on to thicker liquids.
The care team will show you how to use and care for the feeding tube.
The care team will also talk about any possible complications.

Call Your Doctor TOP

Call your doctor if any of these occur:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site around the tube
Tube becomes dislodged. This is most common in first 2 weeks. If the tube is left out the opening can close.
Tube becomes clogged or does not work well.
Leaking of feedings around the site of the tube
Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, or swelling in the belly
Inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement
Severe abdominal pain

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

RESOURCES:

American College of Gastroenterology
http://gi.org

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
https://www.asge.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
https://www.cag-acg.org

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca

References:

Gastrostomy tube (g-tube). Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated January 2018. Accessed January 10, 2018.

Gastrostomy tube (g-tube) home care. Cincinnati Children's website. Available at: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/g/g-tube-care. Updated July 2016. Accessed January 10, 2018.

Last reviewed February 2019 by Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
Last Updated: 2/12/2019

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.