[Jenna]

I've noticed some people talking about 'G tubes'. What are they?

[kitcatcopycat]

What is a gastrostomy tube?
A gastrostomy tube is a flexible plastic hollow tube placed into the stomach through the skin overlying the stomach. The purpose of gastrostomy is to provide a way to give patients food and medications.

When is a gastrostomy tube necessary?
Gastrostomy tubes are necessary and should be considered when patients can not swallow normally or safely for prolonged periods of time.

How is a gastrostomy tube placed into a patient?
The gastrostomy tube is insertion is a surgical procedure done either in the operating room or at the patient's bedside with a special type of endoscope called a gastroscope.
The gastrostomy performed in the operating room requires general anesthesia. The operating surgeon places the gastrostomy tube directly into the stomach after making an opening in the skin overlying the stomach. The gastrostomy performed at the patient's bedside involves the use of an endoscope, a lighted flexible tube that is inserted through the mouth into the stomach. The endoscope enables the doctor to see whatever is at the end of the flexible tube. The patient receives sedation plus a local anesthetic. The gastrostomy tube is inserted through the skin into the stomach while the doctor is looking into the stomach through the endoscope. After the gastrostomy tube is placed, if the patient has a nasogastric or feeding tube, they may be removed.

Does a gastrostomy tube hurt?
Whether the gastrostomy tube is placed into the patient in the operating room or at the patient's bedside, medications are given to prevent the patient from feeling pain during the procedure. After the gastrostomy tube is in place it may be sore for a short period of time. Usually it does not hurt and most patients do not realize that it is there.

[kitcatcopycat]

Nasogastric intubation is a medical process involving the insertion of a plastic tube (nasogastric tube, NG tube) through the nose, past the throat, and down into the stomach.

The main use of a nasogastric tube is for feeding and for administering drugs and other oral agents such as activated charcoal. For drugs and for minimal quantities of liquid, a syringe is used for injection into the tube. For continuous feeding, a gravity based system is employed, with the solution placed higher than the patient's stomach. If accrued supervision is required for the feeding, the tube is often connected to an electronic pump which can control and measure the patient's intake and signal any interruption in the feeding.
Treatment for severe anorexia nervosa can include nasogastric feeding to stabilize body weight.
Nasogastric aspiration (suction) is the process of draining the stomach's contents via the tube. Nasogastric aspiration is mainly used to remove gastric secretions and swallowed air in patients with gastrointestinal obstructions. Nasogastric aspiration can also be used in poisoning situations when a potentially toxic liquid has been ingested, for preparation before surgery under anesthesia, and to extract samples of gastric liquid for analysis.
If the tube is to be used for continuous drainage, it is usually appended to a collector bag placed below the level of the patient's stomach; gravity empties the stomach's contents. It can also be appended to a suction system, however this method is often restricted to emergency situations, as the constant suction can easily damage the stomach's lining.
Suction drainage is used for patients who have undergone a pneumonectomy in order to prevent anesthesia-related vomiting and possible aspiration of any stomach contents. Such aspiration would represent a serious risk of complications to patients recovering from this surgery.

Contraindications
The use of nasogastric intubation is contraindicated (inadvisable) in patients with base of skull fractures, severe facial fractures especially to the nose and obstructed esophagus and/or obstructed airway.
The use of an NG tube is also contraindicated in patients who have had gastric bypass surgery.

[kitcatcopycat]

You should be sure to get a medical braclet / id that states No Blind NG Tube RNY Gastric Bypass (or what every surgery you are having). You can order them online and have then engraved with that and other medical issues you might have. Just in case you are not able to talk with the medical provider. i.e. you just into an accident or have a medical emergency after you have had your surgery.

[Jenna]

You're awesome thank you!

[MilwifeAshes]

I have a G tube.. she gave all the information about it but Mine is just the G tube..
its a simple tube held inthe Distal stomach with a balloned end, and keeps it in place.

Its honestly annoying as all hells but Im getting used to it. I have it in for three n a half more weeks. I dont use it.. i just flush it... I know they use it for complications.. ie dehydration. but i dont have that.. none.. so to me it was pointless and i just
want it out.

[MsVickie]

There are not many in here that have had to have one of those placed. I know Kim from Jax FLA had to have one. I really dont remember anyone else ever saying they had to haveone placed. I suppose some surgeons want it place to where others do not. Its mainly a feeding tube placed for a while to make sure your getting in enough stuff to sustain life. The drain tube however is a common thing alot have to come home with or atleast have in them during the hosptial stay.

[kitcatcopycat]

I had a drainage tube but it was taken out before I left the hospital. Boy O Boy did that hurt when they pulled it out.

[clancythecamper]

I only had drainage tubes, mine were no big deal and out before I left the hospital