What is Gastrostomy Insertion?
A gastrostomy is a feeding tube that passes through the skin directly into the stomach.
Why perform Gastrostomy Insertion?
Gastrostomy tubes are inserted to assist people in maintaining good nutrition, either temporarily if they are planning to have radiotherapy for a head/neck cancer, or permanently, in the setting of a neurological or anatomical problem causing problems with swallowing.Â
Gastrostomy tubes can be placed endoscopically, commonly referred to as a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy), or under x-ray guidance (radiologically inserted gastrostomy). Both are commonly performed and safe procedures.
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How does Gastrostomy Insertion work?
This procedure is usually done under light conscious sedation in an operating with specialised imaging equipment (fluoroscopy and ultrasound). Your interventional radiologist will insert a tube from the nose to your stomach (nasogastric tube), which will be used to gently inflate the stomach with air. Under x-ray guidance, two or three small gastropexy sutures will be used to temporarily hold the stomach and abdominal wall together. Following this, a needle will be guided into the stomach, with the position confirmed with x-ray dye. A guide wire will then be passed through the needle, and then once the needle is removed, the tube is placed into the stomach, again confirming position with contrast.
The tube had a balloon at its tip that is then inflated with water, helping the tube stay inside the stomach. There is also a silicone bolster on the outside of the tube that rests against the skin to prevent the tube from advancing further into the stomach.
You will be able to eat 4 hours after the tube is inserted. The gastropexy sutures will be removed after 2 weeks.
You will be taught how to care for and use the tube before you are discharged from hospital.
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Contact Us
appointments:
For appointment requests, please phone 0497 052 070. For general enquiries, please complete the contact form and a member of the VIRQ team will respond shortly.
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Suite 20, 3 Doherty Street, Birtinya, QLD, 4575, Australia
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Our office is attended Monday - Friday from 9am - 5.30pm.