How is a gastrostomy tube placed into a patient?
The gastrostomy tube is insertion is a surgical procedure done either in the operating room or at the patient’s bedside with a special type of endoscope called a gastroscope. The gastrostomy performed in the operating room requires general anesthesia. The operating surgeon places the gastrostomy tube directly into the stomach after making an opening in the skin overlying the stomach. The gastrostomy performed at the patient’s bedside involves the use of an endoscope, a lighted flexible tube that is inserted through the mouth into the stomach. The endoscope enables the doctor to see whatever is at the end of the flexible tube. The patient receives sedation plus a local anesthetic. The gastrostomy tube is inserted through the skin into the stomach while the doctor is looking into the stomach through the endoscope. After the gastrostomy tube is placed, if the patient has a nasogastric or feeding tube, they may be removed. Does a gastrostomy tube hurt? Whether the gastrostomy tube is place
