Balloon G-J Tube

A gastrostomy-jejunostomy tube, commonly abbreviated as "G-J tube," is actually two tubes in one. One tube ends in the stomach and the other tube ends in the small intestine. This tube is used to vent your child's stomach for air or drainage-and/or for feeding if your child unable to take food and fluids by mouth.

A balloon is inflated inside the stomach to prevent the tube from falling out. A disc is pushed down on the outside portion of the tube to also help keep it secure and prevent it from sliding in and out of the opening.

Why does the end that hangs out have three ports?

One port is for the stomach (gastric port), another is for the intestine (jejunal port), and the last one is for the balloon.

Why does the tube need to be changed in Interventional Radiology?

G-J tubes are replaced using x-ray guidance to make sure both the gastric and jejunal portion of the tube are in the right place.

Changing the Tube

We recommend changing the tubes every three months. Consult with your physician about this.

Skin Care

Check the opening (stoma site) and surrounding skin closely once a day. A little drainage and redness at the opening is normal. Clean the stoma daily with unscented soap and dry the area well. Do not scrub the area. Wipe it gently to prevent skin breakdown.

Please call your doctor or nurse practitioner if you see any of the following:

• A rash with red dots on the edges
• Increased redness or swelling around the stoma
• Open areas of skin around the stoma
• Bleeding from the stoma site
• Bleeding, painful or growing (granulation) tissue around the stoma
• Increased leakage at the stoma site
• Vomiting of formula when on "J" feeds

Risks Associated with Tube Changes

• Loss of access
• Bleeding at the stoma
• Infection at the stoma
• Bowel perforation. This is very rare.

Clogged Tube Instructions

You will receive instruction/training in how to prevent the tube from clogging. It is important to know the following:

The intestinal portion of the tube can clog easily and therefore needs to be flushed with water throughout the day and after all feedings and medication administrations. The stomach (gastric) portion should be flushed once a day.

If the tube becomes clogged, attach a 5ml syringe of warm water to the feeding tube adapter. Try flushing the tube. If you are unable to flush, pull back on the syringe plunger. Try to flush and pull back up to five times. If you are still unsuccessful, try using a 3ml syringe of warm water and repeat the above steps.

If after attempting the above you are still unsuccessful, please call (650) 736-4747 and press prompt #1 and then prompt #2 to schedule the tube for replacement. (Mondays – Fridays 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.) After 5 p.m. during the week, call the above number immediately the next morning.

On the weekends and holidays during the day, call (650) 497-8000 to reach the hospital operator and ask for the Interventional Radiologist on call.

If your child cannot go without fluids, has a metabolic disease, or cannot skip a dose of medication (please check with your healthcare provider which medications cannot be skipped) then go to the pediatric emergency room until a replacement tube can be arranged.

What should I do if the tube falls out?

Do not panic. In general, the loss of a G-J tube is not an emergency. If the tube falls out, place the end of the old tube into the stoma two inches in and tape it into place. This will keep the stoma from closing. DO NOT FEED through the tube.

On weekdays, to schedule tube replacement, call (650) 736-4747 and press prompt #1 and then prompt #2. (Mondays – Fridays 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

If the tube falls out after 5 p.m. on a week day, call this number first thing the next morning.

On weekends and holidays during the day call (650) 497-8000 to reach the hospital operator and ask for the Interventional Radiologist on call.

If your child cannot go without fluids, has a metabolic disease, or cannot skip a dose of medication then go to the pediatric emergency room until a replacement G-J tube can be arranged.