What is a gastric tube (g-tube)?

A gastric tube (g-tube) is a soft, flexible tube that is placed through the skin into the stomach.

• A g-tube is used for long-term feeding or emptying the stomach.

Why does my child need a g-tube?

• These are some reasons that can cause your child to need a g-tube:
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Problems that make it difficult for your child to eat enough food to get proper nutrition; such as: cancer, pharyngeal or esophageal fistulas, abnormalities in the stomach or bowels.

   

Where is the g-tube placement performed?

• It is performed in the Interventional Radiology Department.

Who will perform the g-tube placement?

• A specially trained Pediatric Interventional Radiologist.

What can I expect before the g-tube placement?

• Your child will be seen by one of our doctors and/or nurse clinicians, who will obtain a health history, perform a brief physical exam, explain the procedure and answer your questions.
• Your child will have blood drawn and an IV (intravenous) catheter started.
• You will be requested to sign a consent form.
• Usually, children 10 years of age and under are given "sleeping" medicine by an Anesthesiologist.
• Children over the age of 10 are given medicine to help relax them. They also receive medicine to numb the skin. However, it still may be necessary to give them "sleeping" medicine.
• Your child cannot have anything to eat or drink after midnight, the night before.
• If your child is taking aspirin, it MUST be stopped 3 days before the procedure.

What can I expect during the g-tube placement?

• If your child is given "sleeping" medicine, he/she will be asleep for the entire procedure.
• A small, soft nasogastric tube is inserted into the nose and its end is placed in the stomach. This is used to place air into the stomach, which helps the doctor see it easily on x-ray.
• The doctor will numb the skin on your child's abdomen.
• A needle is inserted through the skin and into the stomach.
• Through this needle, a wire is inserted into the stomach and the g-tube is placed over the wire. The needle and the wire are then removed. The g-tube remains in the stomach.
• The tip of the g-tube is in the stomach and the other end is secured on the child's abdomen.
• The tube is attached to a drainage bag until it can be used.

   

What can I expect after the g-tube placement?

• Your child will go to the recovery room or hospital room after they wake up.
• Your child may feel pain. The nurse will give your child pain medicine.
• Usually, the g-tube will be ready for use the next day.
• A nurse will show you how to care for the g-tube and give feedings before you and your child return home.
• A home health nurse will also be available to assist you.

What are the risks of having a g-tube placed?

• Infection and bleeding at the g-tube site insertion.

What are the benefits of having a g-tube placed?

• An easy, convenient way to provide adequate nutrition for your child.
• To help a child gain weight, increase nutritional intake and fight illness.

What are the alternatives to having a g-tube placed?

• Placement of the g-tube in surgery.