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Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Insertion
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) insertion is a procedure to place a soft, plastic feeding tube into your stomach. You may need a PEG tube if you cannot get enough nutrition eating your food. Liquid food can be given through the tube to give your body the nutrition it needs. The tube may also be used to remove air and fluid from your stomach.
- Medicines can help decrease how much acid your stomach makes.
- Take your medicine as directed. Call your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
Use your PEG tube as directed:
- Check for leftover liquid food in your PEG tube and stomach before you start a new feeding.
- Do not put pills into your PEG tube. Dissolve solid medicines in liquid before you put them in your PEG tube.
- Make sure you or a family member knows how to give feedings through your PEG tube. Ask how much formula you should get, and how often. You may need to increase the amount of liquid food you get slowly until you reach the full amount.
Flush your PEG tube with water as directed:
You may need to flush your PEG tube before and after each use. If your tube is not flushed, liquid formula and medicines can block the PEG tube.
Care for your PEG tube:
- Do not pull your PEG tube. This can cause it to move out of place or come out. Curl the tube and tape it to your abdomen when you are not using it.
- Check your PEG tube for cracks or breaks before each use. Use a medical brush to clean the tip of your PEG tube as directed.
Care for your stoma:
- You may need to change the bandage around your PEG tube the first morning after your procedure. The PEG tube site may take up to 4 weeks to heal. While the site heals, turn the PEG tube to prevent tissue from growing over it.
- After your stoma heals, wash the area every 1 to 3 days or if it is dirty. Remove your bandage and wash the area with soap and water. Dry the area and put on a new bandage around your PEG tube.
- Cap your PEG tube when it is not in use. Uncap your PEG tube if you feel gas pain or nausea. This will release gas buildup and relieve your symptoms.
- Arrange your feeding schedule to make sure you get enough sleep. Tell your healthcare provider if the PEG tube makes it hard for you to sleep.
- Carry pads or absorbent cloths with you in case your PEG tube leaks. You may also want to bring a change of clothing.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- You have a fever.
- The skin around your stoma is red, swollen, or draining pus.
- Your PEG tube feels tight against your skin.
- The skin around your stoma breaks down, skin grows over your tube, or your stoma gets larger.
- You have leakage around your PEG tube, or your formula will not enter the tube and spills out.
- You cannot move your PEG tube, the tube comes out, or the tube cracks or breaks.
- You have nausea or are vomiting, or you cannot have a bowel movement.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Seek care immediately or call 911 if:
- You have diarrhea leaking around your tube.
- Your bowel movements look like the liquid food you use.
- You have increased stoma drainage, or your stoma is bleeding.
- You have sudden trouble breathing or your heart is beating much faster than normal for you.
- You vomit blood, or your bowel movements are bloody or black.
- You have sudden abdominal pain and dizziness.
- Your stoma, or the skin around it, is bright red, swollen, and has blisters.
- Your stomach becomes tight, hard, sore, or swollen.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.