Feeding Tubes

(G-Tube)

A gastrostomy tube is a tube that is placed into the stomach, typically under the left rib cage. A gastrostomy tube is used to provide nutrition directly to the stomach, as well as to drain stomach secretions. A gastrostomy tube is needed for a wide variety of reasons. A gastrostomy tube can be placed percutaneously (through the skin), known as a PEG tube or with an open approach which requires an incision into the abdominal cavity.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) placement

This method is the most used. The surgeon will pass an endoscope (flexible tube with a tiny camera and light on the end) through the mouth down into the stomach. The endoscope is used to guide the placement of the G tube. The surgeon will then make a small surgical incision over the area of placement into the stomach. A tube is then placed into the stomach. This tube is small, flexible, and hollow, with a balloon on the end. The balloon is used to keep the G Tube from coming out. Once the tube is placed the surgical incision around the tube is closed with stitches.

Open gastrostomy tube placement

This method is used when the anatomy does not allow for a PEG. The surgeon will make an incision into the abdominal cavity. The surgeon will then make an opening into the stomach, the tube wis passed through the opening and then stitched to the stomach and around the tube. The stomach is then stitched to the abdominal wall and then the skin was stitched shut.