Cite this article as:
Wu, C. Gastrostomy Week – why and when?, Don't Forget the Bubbles, 2015. Available at: http://doi.org/10.31440/DFTB.6351
You review a patient on the ward for abdo pain and pyrexia, and they have some sort of tube with feeds going into their stomach. You need to call the surgeons for a consult for their abdo pain. But what you call it? Do you know the difference between your PEGs and gastrostomies? Do you understand about tube calibres and lengths? In this four-part series, Camille Wu covers everything the general paediatrician needs to know about enteral feeding via gastrostomies….
Gastrostomy Week – why and when?
Tags: gastrostomy, peg
Wu, C. Gastrostomy Week – why and when?, Don't Forget the Bubbles, 2015. Available at:
http://doi.org/10.31440/DFTB.6351
You review a patient on the ward for abdo pain and pyrexia, and they have some sort of tube with feeds going into their stomach. You need to call the surgeons for a consult for their abdo pain. But what you call it? Do you know the difference between your PEGs and gastrostomies? Do you understand about tube calibres and lengths? In this four-part series, Camille Wu covers everything the general paediatrician needs to know about enteral feeding via gastrostomies….
What is a gastrostomy?
“Gastrostomy” literally means “hole in the stomach”. This “hole” is then plugged with a device (so gastric contents don’t leak everywhere).
The device can be a low-profile “button”, or the classic tube.
When would you need a gastrostomy?
Generally, a gastrostomy replaces the function of a nasogastric tube (NGT).
Patients might need a NGT/gastrostomy for:
and /or
If the NGT is required for a prolonged period of time, it may be easier for the parents (and/or the patient) to have a gastrostomy instead.
What are the main pros and cons?
Benefits include:
Disadvantages include:
About Camille Wu
Camille Wu is a paediatric surgeon based at Sydney Children's Hospital.