Self-care in patients with gastrostomy.. placing a tube through the abdominal wall into the stomach to allow food to pass through



What is a gastrostomy?

A procedure that involves placing a tube through the abdominal wall into the stomach to allow food to pass through.

Indications:

  • Decreased ability to take in nutrients through the mouth.
  • Polytrauma.
  • Neurological disorders.
  • Tumor or mass.
  • Burns.
  • Anorexia.
  • Intensive chemotherapy and secondary mucositis.

Types of gastrostomy:

There are different ways to perform the procedure. The doctor will make the most convenient for the patient according to their needs.
  • surgical route.
  • endoscopic approach.

Gastrostomy care:

- Daily cleaning:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Clean with water and gauze around the stoma. Then gauze dry the area 2 to 3 times a day, as needed.
  • Rotate the external retaining disk of the probe, this will avoid any type of skin injury.

- Probe wash:

- Before and after the administration of enteral nutrition or medications.

- Anti-reflux measures:

- Maintain a 30-45° position for administration of enteral nutrition.
- Schedule therapies before or one hour after the administration of enteral nutrition.

feeding techniques:

- Continuous infusion:

Nutrition is constantly administered to the patient for 24 hours. This feed is supplied by a feed pump.

- Bolus:

Multiple feedings are provided throughout the day. A feeding syringe or gravity drip bag can be used to administer this feeding.

feeding techniques:

Bolus feeding administration:

STEP 1

Prepare the formula at room temperature.

STEP 2

Wash probe with water.

STEP 3

Connect the probe to the syringe and pass the nutrition slowly (the height will define the force with which the food enters, this can happen from 30 minutes to 1 hour)

STEP 4

When feeding is finished remove the syringe and flush the tube with water.

STEP 5

Finally put the cap on the probe port.

warning signs:

  • Consult the emergency service in case of any of the following symptoms:
  • Obstruction of the tube.
  • Signs of feeding intolerance: Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distension.
  • Return of blood through the tube.
  • Balloon damage or accidental withdrawal of the gastrostomy tube.
  • Signs of stoma infection: Erythema, foul-smelling purulent discharge, local warmth.