Percutaneous Gastrostomy (PEG) Tube Placement

Sometimes a child cannot eat enough or a child has a problem where he cannot swallow. A feeding tube can help the child get enough nutrition to grow.

A Percutaneous Gastrostomy (or PEG) is different from a surgically placed feeding tube. The PEG tube is not sutured in place, it stays in the stomach because there is a bumper at the end of the tube inside the stomach. There is a plastic piece around the tube outside the child's body. This keeps the tube from sliding in and out of the opening. Occasionally you will see a piece of suture above the disk to keep it from moving up the tube. The tube should be able to move in and out of the stomach just slightly. The plastic piece should be snug against the skin, but it should not cause pressure.

You and/or your child will be admitted to the hospital for the procedure. You will have the opportunity to speak to a physician and an anesthesiologist prior to the procedure. The length of stay in the hospital will be determined by your doctor but may be up to 48 hours.

Gastrostomy Tube Change

A Gastrostomy Tube Change involves changing an already existing enteric feeding tube with a new one. This occurs when a new size tube is needed or the present tube is malfunctioning. Depending on the type of tube in place, this may require little or no sedation.