Gastrostomy/Jejunostomy Tube Care

Cleaning the skin around the feeding tube

It is important for the area around the feeding tube to be kept clean and dry. For the first 2-3 days after surgery the tube site should be cleaned 2-3 times daily with ½ strength hydrogen peroxide. This keeps the site clean and promotes healing. After the first 2-3 days, the site should be cleaned with mild soap and water. You do not need to keep the site covered with gauze, this can trap moisture and cause skin breakdown. Antibiotic creams or ointments should not be used on the skin surrounding the tube unless you are instructed to use them by your surgeon. Gauze should not be placed over the G-tube site routinely; the site should be open to air.

Often children will have a temporary long tube that will stay in place for the first 4-6 weeks, until the gastrostomy tract from the outside of the abdominal wall to the inside of the stomach is well healed. After the tract is well healed, a Bardäor MIC-keyäbutton, a more permanent feeding tube, will be placed. These tubes should be rotated daily.

Troubleshooting common problems with the feeding tubes

What if the feeding tube falls out or the child pulls the tube out?
It is possible for the feeding tube to fall out or to be pulled out. Do not panic if this happens. The site may bleed a little or you may see stomach contents (including formula) leak from the site. Cover the hole with a clean Band-Aid. You may give your child Tylenol or ibuprofen if they have discomfort at the site. Once the tube is out, the hole will begin to close. It is very important that your child have a new tube placed into the hole as soon as possible. Call your surgeon’s office as soon as possible. You will either need to come to the surgeon’s office or you will need to go to a local emergency room within a few hours to have the tube replaced.
*If your child has a MIC-key button in place you will be given a prescription to have an extra tube at home. Your surgeon will advise you whether you may replace the tube at home or whether you need to come to the office to have the MIC-key tube replaced at the hospital.
Leakage around the tube
Leakage around the feeding tube is common, but may indicate a problem. The tube may be loose, the balloon may not be fully inflated, the tract may have enlarged, or the stomach may be too full and distended. If you have been instructed, you may check the water in the balloon to ensure that it is fully inflated. Please call to speak with the nurse practitioner or surgeon.
Clogged feeding tube
Blockage can be caused by a buildup of food or medicine in the tube or by body fluids crusted around the opening. Flush the tube with 10 ml of warm water to clear the tube of any blockage. If the tube still seems blocked, call your surgeon's office.
Mucous around the feeding tube site
It is normal to see small amounts of mucous at the feeding tube site. This drainage may increase when the child has a cold or respiratory symptoms. If you see crusting around the tube, you may clean the skin with ½ strength hydrogen peroxide and then resume cleaning with soap and water. If you continue to see drainage at the site, the site is red, the drainage looks like pus or there is an odor to the drainage, please call the surgeon’s office.
Pink/red bumpy tissue around the tube
This tissue is called granulation tissue and is not uncommon. Friction from the feeding tube or infection can cause this tissue to grow. Granulation tissue is not dangerous to your child’s health and often can be treated in our outpatient clinic. It is important to rotate the tube daily and alternate the site where longer feeding tubes are taped to the skin. This tissue can bleed easily and may worsen leakage. Please call your surgeon or nurse practitioner if you have questions.

If the tube falls out, please call your Surgeon or Nurse Practitioner immediately.

General, Minimally Invasive & Thoracic Surgery