How long does a gastrostomy tube last?

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asked Dec 25, 2020 in Other- Health by bradsoflens (900 points)
How long does a gastrostomy tube last?

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answered Nov 24, 2021 by Adf289 (58,200 points)
Gastrostomy tubes last between 6 months to 12 months depending on the type of tube.

Most original gastrostomy tubes last up to 12 months and balloon tubes last up to 6 months.

Yes you can swim with a gastrostomy tube.

Most children with G-tubes, GJ-tubes, and J-tubes are also able to swim and splash in the water without too many restrictions.

Bathing may recommence 3-4 days after the initial gastrostomy insertion.

It is a good way to keep the stoma clean.

Swimming, either in the sea or pool can be recommenced after 2 weeks of insertion.

A child may need a gastrostomy when they have an illness that prevents them from eating or when they are unable to eat.

When a child is unable to eat enough food by mouth or needs extra calories to grow, a gastrostomy can help the child get the nutrition they need.

A gastrostomy can also act as a drainage tube to bypass an obstruction, so that your child's stomach does not accumulate acid and fluids.  

A baby that needs a G Tube may only need the G Tube for a few months or they may need it until 12 months of age.

And then again some babies may need the G Tube until they are 3 to 8 years old and some may need it for life.

It depends on why they needed the G Tube.

Balloon buttons are the most common G-tube for children once the stoma (G-tube site) is fully healed, usually in 2-3 months.

The dangers of a feeding tube include.

Aspiration. Aspiration of stomach content/feed into the lungs can occur during insertion of the PEG tube because the oesophageal sphincter that stops gastric contents from refluxing into the oesophagus is held open by the endoscope.

Blockage.

Leakage.

Site infection.

Granuloma formation.

Constipation.
Dehydration.
Diarrhea.
Skin Issues (around the site of your tube)
Unintentional tears in your intestines (perforation)
Infection in your abdomen (peritonitis)

Feeding tubes can cause death especially if they are not inserted properly.

The main complications of NG tube insertion include aspiration and tissue trauma.

Placement of the catheter can induce gagging or vomiting, therefore suction should always be ready to use in the case of this happening.

It was concluded that the proximate cause of death was nasal cavity injury from insertion of a nasogastric tube for enteral nutrition, which led to hemorrhage, aspiration of blood, respiratory distress, hypoxic ischemic brain injury, cardiac arrest, and death.

A feeding tube can remain in place as long as you need it.

Some people stay on one for life.

While properly inserted nasogastric (NG) tubes are useful, if precautions are ignored, they can lead to several complications.

These include: The tube may enter the lungs Because of the proximity of the larynx to the oesophagus, the nasogastric tube may enter the larynx and trachea.

Common illnesses that can cause a person to need a feeding tube include.

    Crohn's disease (in severe cases)
    Gastrointestinal cancer.
    Gastrointestinal complications due to trauma.
    Intestinal failure.
    Bowel obstruction.
    Microscopic colitis.
    Narrowing in your esophagus or digestive tract (stricture)
    Short bowel syndrome.

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