GASTROSTOMY TUBE REPLACEMENT

Course overview

A GASTROSTOMY TUBE (G-TUBE) IS INDICATED IN PATIENTS THAT NEED LONG-TERM PRE-PYLORIC FEEDING. ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY TUBE PLACEMENT IS NOW THE PREFERRED MODALITY OVER SURGICAL GASTROSTOMY OWING TO A LESS INVASIVE NATURE AND FASTER TIME TO START FEEDING. IF THE TUBE IS DISLODGED WITHIN 4 WEEKS OF INITIAL PLACEMENT, PATIENTS ARE AT SIGNIFICANT RISK OF PERITONITIS AND PERFORATION DUE TO PERITONEAL SPILLAGE OF GASTRIC CONTENTS THROUGH THE IMMATURE TRACK, AND REPLACEMENT SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED WITHOUT SURGICAL CONSULTATION. THIS ACTIVITY FOCUSES ON THE METHODS OF G-TUBE REPLACEMENT, AND POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF G-TUBE REPLACEMENT. AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARE OF PATIENTS THAT REQUIRE THIS PROCEDURE.