Feeding Tube Placement

A feeding tube (gastrostomy tube, or G-tube) delivers nutrition directly into the stomach for people who cannot swallow safely or cannot take enough food by mouth. It may be needed for a short time or long term.

How it is placed

Dr. Brown commonly places the tube with the help of an upper endoscope, called percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). You receive sedation and pain medicine, the skin of the upper abdomen is numbed, and the tube is placed through a small opening into the stomach. A tube can also be placed surgically when needed.

After placement

• Feedings start slowly and increase over time.
• The area usually heals in about 5 to 7 days.
• You and your caregivers will learn how to care for the skin around the tube, how to feed through it, and what to do if it becomes blocked or comes out.

Risks include bleeding and infection. Dr. Brown will review the benefits and risks with you and your family.

Where surgery is performed

Dr. Brown operates at AdventHealth Port Charlotte and Murdock Surgery Center. Consultations and follow-up visits are at the Charlotte Harbor Surgical office in Port Charlotte.

Sources

1. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine): Gastrostomy feeding tube insertion