From the Guidelines
A Gastrostomy (G) tube is normally found inserted through the abdominal wall with its tip positioned in the stomach. This is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which discusses the placement and use of gastrostomy tubes in patients who require long-term enteral nutrition 1. The study highlights the importance of considering gastrostomy placement in patients who are likely to require enteral feeding for more than 4 weeks, and notes that the tube is typically inserted directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall using endoscopic or radiological procedures.
Some key points to consider when evaluating the placement of a gastrostomy tube include:
- The patient's gastrointestinal function must be adequate to absorb and tolerate the proposed feeding 1
- The patient should be at high risk of malnutrition and unlikely to recover their ability to feed orally in the short term 1
- The concept of gastrostomy feeding must be acceptable to the patient and their family or carers 1
- Suitability for gastrostomy placement should be assessed by an experienced gastroenterologist or member of a nutrition support team 1
It's worth noting that while older studies discuss the use of gastrostomy tubes, the most recent study provides the most up-to-date guidance on their placement and use 1. Additionally, other types of tubes, such as nasogastric (NG) tubes and jejunostomy tubes, may be used in certain situations, but gastrostomy tubes are typically used for long-term enteral nutrition 1.
In terms of the specific location of the tube, the tip of the gastrostomy tube is positioned in the stomach, allowing for direct feeding and medication administration into the stomach 1. This is in contrast to other types of tubes, such as jejunostomy tubes, which have their tip positioned in the small intestine 1.
Overall, the placement and use of gastrostomy tubes is an important consideration in patients who require long-term enteral nutrition, and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by an experienced healthcare team 1.
From the Research
Gastrostomy (G) Tube Location
- A Gastrostomy (G) tube is normally found in the stomach, as indicated by the term "gastro" which refers to the stomach 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The tube is typically inserted through the abdominal wall and into the stomach, allowing for direct access to the stomach for feeding or medication administration.
- In some cases, a Gastrojejunostomy (GJ) tube may be used, which is a type of tube that extends from the stomach into the jejunum, a part of the small intestine 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The jejunum is located in the abdominal cavity, below the stomach, and the GJ tube is typically placed using a combination of endoscopy and fluoroscopy to guide the tube into the correct position 2, 3, 5.