What is Gastrostomy: Permanent and Temporary?

This is surgery to place a tube through the abdomen and into the stomach. Gastrostomy can be done as:

• Endoscopic procedure: a more common and less invasive procedure called percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)
• Open procedure: a long incision is made in the abdomen

A gastrostomy tube provides an alternative feeding site. It may be needed to:

• Feed a person who has a hard time sucking or swallowing
• Drain the stomach of acid and fluids that have built up

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Possible Complications

If you are planning to have gastrostomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Aspiration—accidental sucking into the airways of fluid, food, or any foreign material
• Damage to other organs
• Anesthesia-related problems
• Skin irritation around the tube
• Dislodging or malfunction of the tube
• Diarrhea

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Obesity or diabetes
• Smoking, alcohol abuse , or drug use
• Use of certain prescription medicines
• Prior abdominal surgeries
• Advanced age

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the surgery.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of...