Gastrostomy

Definition

A gastrostomy is a surgical procedure that involves creating an opening into the stomach through the abdominal wall, allowing direct access for nutritional support. This procedure is typically used for patients who are unable to eat orally due to various medical conditions, providing a way to deliver food, fluids, and medications directly into the stomach.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gastrostomy can be performed as an emergency procedure or electively, depending on the patient's needs and condition.
2. It is commonly used in patients with neurological disorders, head and neck cancers, or severe dysphagia, where swallowing is impaired.
3. Gastrostomy tubes can be either temporary or permanent, depending on the expected duration of nutritional support needed.
4. Complications associated with gastrostomy may include infection at the insertion site, tube dislodgment, and blockage of the feeding tube.
5. Patients with a gastrostomy often require ongoing monitoring and support to ensure proper nutrition and manage potential complications.

Review Questions

• How does a gastrostomy provide nutritional support for patients who cannot eat orally?
  • A gastrostomy provides nutritional support by allowing direct access to the stomach through a surgically created opening in the abdominal wall. This method enables healthcare providers to deliver food, fluids, and medications directly into the stomach without requiring oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients with conditions that impair swallowing or digestion, ensuring they receive essential nutrients for recovery and overall health.
• What are some common indications for performing a gastrostomy, and how do these conditions affect a patient's ability to consume food normally?
  • Common indications for performing a gastrostomy include neurological disorders like stroke or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cancers affecting the head and neck, and severe swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). These conditions hinder a patient's ability to swallow food safely or adequately absorb nutrients orally, making it necessary to utilize a gastrostomy for nutritional support. By bypassing the oral route, gastrostomy ensures that these patients receive adequate nutrition without the risk of aspiration.
• Evaluate the long-term management considerations for patients with a gastrostomy and how healthcare teams can optimize their nutritional outcomes.
  • Long-term management of patients with a gastrostomy involves regular monitoring of nutritional status, care of the insertion site, and prevention of complications like infection or tube dislodgment. Healthcare teams should develop individualized feeding plans tailored to the patient’s dietary needs and preferences, ensuring that nutritional requirements are met. Education for both patients and caregivers about proper tube care and feeding administration techniques is essential for optimizing outcomes. Additionally, follow-up appointments can help assess progress and make necessary adjustments to feeding regimens.

Related terms

Enteral Nutrition: A method of delivering nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract, usually through a tube inserted into the stomach or small intestine.

PEG Tube: Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube is a common type of gastrostomy tube that is placed using an endoscopic procedure.

Malnutrition: A condition resulting from an inadequate or imbalanced intake of nutrients, often leading to health complications and necessitating interventions like gastrostomy.