Definition

Gastrostomy is really a surgical treatment for placing a tube with the abdomen wall and to the stomach. The tube, known as a "g-tube," can be used for feeding or drainage.

Description

Gastrostomy, also known as gastrostomy tube (g-tube) insertion, is surgery conducted to provide another opening to the stomach. Surgery is conducted either once the patient is under general anesthesia-the patient feels as though they're inside a deep sleep and it has no understanding of what's happening-or under local anesthesia. With local anesthesia, the individual is awake; however the main body cut throughout the operation is numbed. Fitting the g-tube usually takes a short surgical operation that lasts about half an hour. Throughout the surgery, an opening called stoma, concerning the diameter of the small pencil is cut within the skin and to the stomach; the stomach will be cautiously connected to the abdominal wall. The g-tube will be installed in the stoma.

It's a special tube locked in place with a disc or perhaps a water-filled balloon which has a valve inside allowing food to go in, but absolutely nothing to emerge. The outlet can be created using two different techniques. The very first runs on the tube called an endoscope which has a light at the conclusion that is placed to the mouth and fed down the gullet to the stomach. The sunshine shines with the skin, showing the physician where doctor can perform the incision. Another process doesn't make use of an endoscope. Instead, a little incision is created about the left side from the abdomen; an incision will be made with the stomach. A little adaptable hollow tube, generally made from polyvinylchloride or rubber, is placed to the stomach. The stomach is sewed closely round the tube, and also the incision is closed.

The amount of time the individual must stay in a healthcare facility depends upon age the individual and also the patient's overall health. In some instances, a healthcare facility stay is often as short as one day, but often is longer. Generally, the stomach and abdomen recover in 5 to 7 days. The price of the surgery differs, with respect to the age and health from the patient. Younger patients are often sicker and need more intensive, and therefore more costly, care.

Purpose

Gastrostomy is conducted just because a patient in the short term or permanently must be fed directly via a tube within the stomach. Causes of feeding by gastrostomy include birth problems from the mouth, esophagus, or stomach, and neuromuscular problems that create individuals to eat very gradually because of the form of their mouths or perhaps a weakness influencing their chewing and swallowing muscles. Gastrostomy can also be carried out to supply drainage for that stomach when it's essential to bypass a longstanding blockage from the stomach outlet to the small intestine. Obstructions might be brought on by peptic ulcer scarring or perhaps a tumor.

Who performs the process and where could it be done?

The process is carried out in a hospital or surgical clinic with a doctor or gastroenterologist been trained in endoscopy and site of those tubes.

Preparation

Before the operation, a doctor will carry out an endoscopy and take x-rays from the gastrointestinal tract. Blood and urine tests may also be carried out, and also the patient may talk with the anesthesiologist to judge any special conditions that may get a new administration of anesthesia.

Questions a patient should ask a doctor

• What would be the risks linked to the process?
• Will the patient have ability to eat normal food?
• Will people observe that patient has got a g-tube?
• What happens at the time of surgery?
• What kind of anesthesia is going to be used?
• How may be the g-tube insertion done?
• Will it's there forever?
• Will there be considered a scar?
• What happens after g-tube insertion?

Risks

There aren't many risks related to this surgery. The primary problems are infection, bleeding, dislodgment from the tube, stomach bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. Gastrostomy is really a not at all hard process. Just like any surgery, however, patients may experience problems when they are smokers, obese, use alcohol heavily, or use illicit drugs. Additionally, some prescription drugs may raise risks related to anesthesia.

Normal results

The individual has the capacity to eat with the gastrostomy tube, or even the stomach could be drained with the tube.

Aftercare

Soon after the operation, the individual is fed intravenously not less than Twenty four hours. Once bowel sounds are heard, showing how the gastrointestinal product is working, the individual can start clear liquid feedings with the tube. How big the feedings is progressively improved. Patient education concerning apply and proper care of the gastrostomy tube is essential. Patients and their own families are taught how they can identify and stop infection round the tube; how they can insert food with the tube; how to deal with tube blockage; how to precede when the tube pulls out; and what normal activities could be started again.

Alternatives: There aren't any options to a gastrostomy since the decision to do it's made whenever a person is not able to consume enough calories to satisfy the requirements of his / her body.