Research Paper on "Gastrostomy Tubes in Pediatric Patients"

Research Paper 4 pages (1319 words) Sources: 3

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Gastrostomy Tubes in Pediatric Patients:

Gastrostomy tubes are tubes that are specifically designed to help children and pediatric patients in feeding. The placement of this tube is performed for two major reasons which are to either help in gastric decompression following gastrointestinal and abdominal operations or for feeding in patients that can't take food by their mouths. In order for these gastrostomy tubes to be inserted in a patient, they require a general anaesthetic. The tubes will stay in the patient's body to the point that a replacement is necessary or the child no longer needs a gastrostomy because he/she is eating adequately.

As earlier mentioned, there are two major reasons why pediatric patients get gastrostomy tubes with the first being to help the child's nutritional needs if he/she is not swallowing enough to foster his/her proper growth. The second reason why these patients get gastrostomy tubes is in cases where the child's oesophageal atresia is not joined up for him/her to swallow totally. These tubes are placed directly into a child's stomach through the outside of his/her tummy with the surgical opening of the abdominal wall where the tube is placed being known as the stoma. This opening in the skin is red in color with its size being compared to the size of a very tiny sultana (Sexton & Holden, n.d.).

How Are Gastrostomy Tubes Placed?

While all gastrostomy tubes are made from a soft material known as silicone, there are various tubes and skin-level devices or buttons that are in use. Nonetheless, the most appropriate gastrostomy tube for a pediatric patient is usually determined by the doctor or nursing staff. Given that there are three major categories of gastrostomy tubes, there are also three major ways within which the tubes are placed. In fact, the difference in placement of the tubes is dependent on the category of the tube. These three categories are:

Surgical Gastrostomy Tube:

This is the type of gastrostomy tube that is placed in the process of an operation under general anaesthetic. Surgical gastrostomy tubes are surgically placed in pediatric patients by pediatric surgeons while in the operation room. This kind of tube has either a balloon or cross bar at one end that sits inside in the stomach and enables the tube not to fall out. However, at the other end of the tube, there may be one or more openings that are used for tube caring purposes. To place the surgical tube, the pediatric surgeon has to both create an incision or laparoscopic incisions in the tummy area and also create an opening into the stomach.

The pediatric surgeon will then insert the tube through the belly opening into the stomach and stitch up the tube in its appropriate position. These surgical tubes may necessitate the use of a primary inserted button which is a temporary tube that needs a Hollister dressing until the replacement of the tube. For pediatric patients who require surgery, the gastrostomy tube is inserted during the surgery. The surgical placed gastrostomy tube is usually for a short-term use and is always replaced easily by the medical staff. The period of time within which the surgical tube stays in place is usually discussed between the patient and the doctor.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Tube:

Similar to the surgical gastrostomy tube, the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube is also inserted under a general anaesthetic though an elastic telescopic endoscope is employed for the purpose of helping to position the tube. The PEG tube usually consists of either a disc or cross bar that helps in stopping the tube from accidental falling. This kind of tube is placed by a radiologist who performs this duty when the patient is asleep in the interventional radiology section. The radiologist however inserts the tube into the stomach by an incision in the abdomen through threading the tube through the patient's mouth into the esophagus and the stomach ("Gastrostomy Tubes," 2008). Then, the PEG… READ MORE

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