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Lurie Children's Specialties & Conditions Gastrostomy Tubes

Pediatric Gastrostomy Tubes

If a child is unable to eat after surgery, a gastrostomy tube may be inserted directly into the stomach so the child to continue to receive nutrition.

Gastrostomy Tubes & Feedings: A Parent's Guide

Use our guide in reference to:

  • Administering feedings through the feeding tube
  • Changing the dressings and cleaning around the tube
  • Problems that may occur with the gastrostomy tube or the insertion site

The information contained in this material should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be individual circumstances of your child's healthcare that cause a variation in treatment.

For more additional information and patient testimonials, view our guide, Supporting Nutrition: Understanding Tube Feeding .


Definitions

  • Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD): Movement of stomach contents into the esophagus
  • Gastrostomy: An opening or “hole” between the abdominal wall and the stomach for the purpose of giving stomach feedings (done in the operating room)
  • Nissen fundoplication: An operation to prevent food and liquids from going from the stomach up into the esophagus
  • Gastrostomy tube (GT or G-tube): A tube placed through the gastrostomy opening to give feedings and keep the hole open
  • Low profile gastrostomy tube or “button”: A small type of gastrostomy tube with a separate piece that attaches for feedings  (some tubes referred to as buttons include MIC-Key and Bard button)
  • Bolus feeding: A feeding given over 30 to 45 minutes, by gravity or on a feeding pump, one to five times per day, depending on how much the child eats or drinks by mouth
  • Continuous feeding: A feeding given over 12 to 24 hours, that is usually easier to give with a pump that controls the rate at which the feedings are given

Types of Gastrostomy Tubes

Malecot Tubes

If your child has a Malecot tube with a drain tube attachment device, the first visit will be one week after the operation, where you will learn how to change the dressing. Call the surgeon's office to schedule the appointment. The second appointment is eight weeks after the operation. At that visit, the Malecot will be changed to a MIC-key.

Important note: The first tube change for patients with a Malecot is only done on Tuesdays at 1 or 1:30 p.m. This appointment may take 1 to 2 hours. After the tube is changed from the Malecot to the MIC-key, your child will have to go to radiology to check placement.

MIC-key Tubes

If your child has a MIC-key placed at the time of the operation, the first visit will be two weeks after the surgery to have the incision and GT site checked.

MIC-keys are changed every 4 to 6 months. You will be taught how to change the tube.

Gastrostomy Care

At the end of each feeding and after every medication, the tube must be flushed or rinsed with 5 to 10 ml of water to prevent the tube from becoming clogged with formula or medication.

Note: When possible, have your physician order a liquid form of the medications that you will be giving through the tube. Some pills can be crushed, mixed with water and given through the tube. However, when capsules are opened, they will clump together in the tube and may clog it.

Children with reflux who have a fundoplication may have difficulty with gas pain. To relieve this, attach a 30 cc or 60 cc syringe, without the plunger, to the tube for 10 to 15 minutes after each feeding to allow air to escape. Children that receive continuous feedings may have their feeding interrupted for 10 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for venting.

Children can take a bath four days after the operation. Change the dressing after the bath if it is wet or loose and no longer stabilizes the tube.

Dressings & Skin Care

  • Clean the skin around the tube daily with a wash cloth, gauze or a cotton swab moistened with water
  • Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol around the tube
  • Ointments such as Bacitracin or Neosporin are not necessary and are generally discouraged

Several dressing types may be used to secure the gastrostomy after surgery. The dressing is very important because it:

  • Holds the tube in place, allowing the gastrostomy site to heal
  • Decreases the chance that the tube will be pulled out accidentally

  • The clear plastic type dressing over the MIC-key should be removed 5 days after surgery
  • Pulling or stretching a corner of this dressing along the skin releases it from the skin easily
  • No dressing is necessary around this tube
  • Clean with soap and water, or just water, daily
  • A 2x2-inch gauze pad may be used if there is drainage
  • Elastic wraps are helpful to stabilize the tube

General Information

  • The gauze pad should be changed every two to three days
  • Change more often if it gets wet
  • If the child is taking daily tub baths, the gauze pad should be changed after each bath because the gauze will be wet

Supplies

A 2x2-inch gauze or split gauze pad and tape should be used.

Procedure

  • Clean around the tube with soap and water
  • Apply one 2x2-inch gauze or split 2x2-inch gauze pad under the plastic ring
  • Tape all four sides of the ring
  • Use a Coban or an Ace wrap if necessary for additional security
  • Measure a piece of Coban or elastic wrap 3 to 4 inches longer than the abdominal circumference
  • On each end, cut 2-inch slits in the middle and place slits overlapping on top of the bolster
  • Use velcro or tape to secure the wrap
  • The physician will set up follow-up appointments for dressing and/or tube changes

General Information

  • Use the Hollister drain tube attachment device
  • Change every five to seven days or sooner if it comes loose from the skin
  • Between changes, clean around the tube with cotton tip applicator

To Remove Old Tube Holder

  • Squeeze top of holder and push strap back through slot, or unclip the clip
  • Gently remove holder from skin and throw away
  • Wash skin with water, or soap and water

To Apply New Holder: See Pictures in the Packaging of the Dressing

  • Remove paper from the inner area of holder
  • Leave outer paper ring in place
  • Split the tube along pre-cut line
  • Place on skin around the tube
  • Wrap strap around the tube and insert into the slot
  • Pull gently on the strap until it squeezes the tube slightly
  • Push down gently on the tube as the strap is tightened to prevent the tube from being pulled up too tightly against stomach wall
  • Tuck extra strap into the slot
  • Remove the outer paper from paper tape and tape to the skin

Common Problems

  • Small amounts of leakage from around the tube: You may use a dressing under the gastrostomy tube to keep clothes clean.
  • Granulation tissue: This is pink tissue that occurs as a reaction to the tube. It may bleed or produce an odor. This tissue is not of great concern but may lead to leakage around the tube. Make an appointment in the office; this tissue growth can be easily treated.
  • Redness around the tube: A small area of redness is normal. Infection around a gastrostomy tube is uncommon.  If the area is bright red, increasing in size, or swollen and warm, schedule an appointment for evaluation. This is not an emergency but should be evaluated in the office within several days.
  • The tube is loose but not out (this applies only to “Buttons” or low profile tubes): Tape the edges of the “button” down. This will keep the tube in place and the gastrostomy hole open. You may continue to give feedings and medications through the tube. Schedule an appointment to have the tube replaced. As long as the tube is in the track, you do not have to be seen immediately.

Emergencies or Requiring Immediate Attention

  • The tube falls out or gets pulled out: If the operation to place the tube was done longer than four months ago and you have been taught how to replace the tube, insert replacement tube. If you are unsuccessful, you must seek medical attention within six hours.
  • All of the formula or feeding is leaking at the site: Small amounts of leakage or drainage around a GT are ALWAYS normal. If all or most of the formula is leaking, however, the tube may no longer be all the way in the stomach and should be evaluated to prevent damage to the tract.

These pages have been adapted from materials developed by Susan Luck, MD; Marleta Reynolds, MD; Srikumar Pillai, MD; Teri Coha, APRN-CNS, CWON; and Kerri Keller, CNP.