Complications of gastrostomy tube feeding

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Tue, 16/06/2009 - 3:25pm

Many complications can occur when caring for someone with a gastrostomy tube. It is important that you notify your doctor if you are having problems managing gastrostomy tube feeding.

Complications of gastrostomy tube feeding include:

Tube dislodgement

Gastrostomy tubes can be dislodged or fall out. This may be due to tension or force. If a gastrostomy tube falls out it needs to be replaced immediately or the incision site will close. Cover the site with a sterile dressing and call your doctor. Be prepared to go to an emergency department or doctor's surgery for reinsertion. Knowing the type and size of the tube can help emergency staff.

Gastrostomy tube blockage

Gastrostomy tubes can get blocked especially if the tube is narrow. Medications and thick formulas can stick to the tube. Try flushing the gastrostomy tube with water as directed by a nurse. Check the tube for kinks and patency and when it was last replaced. Do not stick anything down the tube.

Infection

Ask a nurse to show you how to clean the insertion site. Watch out for skin breakdown and infection including redness, excoriation, tenderness and foul odour. Infection around the tube can result if constant leakage occurs at the tube site. Thoroughly clean and dry the area daily.

Pay special attention to washing your hands before and after handling the gastrostomy tube and cleaning all equipment as directed by a nurse.

Vomiting and diarrhoea

Always call a doctor if there are any problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach distension and discomfort. Diarrhoea or a change in stool pattern could be due to infection or drug intolerance.

Medications

A trained nurse will show you how to give medications via a gastrostomy tube. Administering medications via a gastrostomy tube can lead to complications. Some medications should not be crushed or mixed together. Changing the form of the medication can also cause side effects and alter the drug's effectiveness.

Do not administer any medications down a gastrostomy tube unless directed by your doctor. Medications can cause tube blockage if mixed with feeding formula or an individual's tolerance to a drug may change.

A pharmacist can review an individual's medication to ensure any medication is provided in the most appropriate form for tube feeding.

Aspiration

Aspiration occurs when foreign material is inhaled into the airway. Aspiration can lead to pneumonia and in some cases cause death. People receiving feeds via gastrostomy tubes are at risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Aspiration pneumonia can be silent and difficult to detect. Signs of aspiration pneumonia include cough, choking and acute respiratory distress.

Proper positioning during and after tube feeding can help prevent aspiration. Ask a nurse to show you correct feeding positions.

Seek emergency medical attention if the person you are caring for shows any signs of aspiration.