feeding gastrostomy

Introduction

A surgical opening in the stomach through which a person is fed.

Indications

• long-term enteral nutrition
• swallowing disorders
• impaired small bowel absorption requiring continuous drip

Contraindications

• does NOT prevent aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions
• does not lead to a better or longer life in severely demented patients
• does not improve survival at the end of life

Procedure

• percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)#
• fluoroscopically placed
  • radiation exposure
  • smaller tubes placed
• surgically placed
  • more invasive, longer recovery times

Radiology

• abdominal CT with gastrgraphin through the gastrostomy tube if tube displacement is suspected

Complications

• aspiration pneumonia*
• irritation around tube exit site
• peritoneal leak (peritonitis)
• balloon migration & obstruction of pylorus
• GI bleed
• ileus
• bowel obstruction
• bowel perforation
• diarrhea
• metabolic disturbances

* most common complication

Management

# feeding may begin 4 hours after insertion

More general terms

• gastrostomy

Additional terms

• enteral nutrition