How will the gastrostomy tube be placed?
Here is a brief explanation of how a tube is placed using Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (or PEG) procedure. The surgeon threads a lighted endoscope down the throat and through the esophagus to let it shine through the stomach wall and show him (or her) where to make the incision. They make a stoma (hole) in the wall of the stomach and the skin and place the tube. A few stiches hold it in until it is healed. This is done under sedation. The procedure takes approximately half an hour unless another procedure, such as a fundoplication, is being done at the same time. Now, for a more detailed explanation of the surgery, try this link: http://www.bewell.com/sym/caps68.asp . This illustrates the PEG surgery. You’ll find laproscopic gastrostomy tube placement, which is done less often, illustrated at http://www.laparoscopy.net/gastr.htm . The pictures are very clear and the site gives details. Once your child has the gastrostomy tube or button there are a few different ways you can feed
