Gastrostomy, also known as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, PEG, involves placing a small flexible tube, called a tube, directly from the stomach, to allow feeding in cases where the oral route can be taken.
In this way, performing a gastrostomy usually treats cases of:
- Some of these cases may be temporary.
- Such as in stroke situations.
- Where the person uses gastrostomy until they can re-feed.
- But in other cases it may be necessary to maintain the tube for several years to include it for life.
This technique can be used temporarily after surgery, especially when it includes the respiratory or digestive system, for example.
Before feeding the person with a gastrostomy tube, it is very important to sit or place them with the head of the raised bed, to prevent food from going up from the stomach to the esophagus, causing a feeling of heartburn. you follow these steps:
Once all the food is administered through the tube, it is important to wash the syringe and wash it with 40 ml of water, placing it through the tube to wash it and prevent food scraps from accumulating and clogging the tube, they are very similar treatments to the nasogastric tube.
The food should always be well ground and should not contain very large pieces, so it is recommended to glue the mixture before placing the syrup. The feeding plan should always be guided by a nutritionist to make sure there are no vitamin deficiencies, due to tube placement, the doctor can consult the nutritionist.
If medication is required, it is necessary to crush the tablet and mix it with the food or water administered, however it is advisable not to mix the medicines in the same pot, as some may be incompatible.
In the first 2 to 3 weeks of the gastrostomy, the inheritance should be treated by a patient in the hospital, it is necessary to be more careful to avoid an infection and constantly evaluate the area, however, after being discharged from the hospital and when returning home, it is necessary to maintain some care with the inheritance to prevent the skin from irritating and some kind of discomfort.
The most important care is to keep the area always clean and dry, so it is advisable to wash the area at least once a day with warm water, clean gas and a neutral pH sink. But it is also important to avoid tight clothing or put creams with perfume or chemicals in the area.
When washing the hereditary area, the probe should also be rotated slightly to avoid catching the skin, increasing the chance of infection. This rotating movement of the tube should be done once a day, as directed by the doctor.
It is very important to see your doctor or hospital when
In addition, depending on the probe material, it may also be necessary to return to the hospital to change the catheter, however, this period must be agreed with the doctor.