Children and families |
Living with a gastrostomySection 1This booklet explains gastrostomies and how to care for one at home. It also explains what to expect when your child comes to Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital for treatment. Contents
What is gastrostomy?A gastrostomy is a surgical opening through the abdomen into the stomach. A feeding device is inserted through this opening into the stomach. This allows your child to be fed directly into his or her stomach, bypassing the mouth and throat. Why does my child need a gastrostomy?People who have difficulties feeding can benefit from a gastrostomy. There are many reasons why someone might have difficulties feeding, including neurological (nervous system) disorders and gastrointestinal (digestive system) disorders. Some people also have difficulty swallowing, which increases the chance that they will breathe in food (aspirate). Your doctor will explain to you the specific reasons why your child needs a gastrostomy. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a gastrostomy?Gastrostomies are often useful for children who need to be fed gradually, or have had problems with feeding by naso-gastric tube in the past. Some families find a gastrostomy more acceptable than a naso-gastric tube as it can be hidden under clothing. A useful feature of a gastrostomy is that there will be fewer battles over nasty-tasting medicine as some types can be given through the gastrostomy, bypassing the tastebuds altogether. A gastrostomy can be a permanent or temporary measure, as it can be removed when your child no longer needs it. How is a gastrostomy inserted?.A gastrostomy is inserted in a short operation under a general anaesthetic. For more information, see: What does the operation involve? Are there any complications with having a gastrostomy?There are some complications associated with a gastrostomy. These are explained and methods of dealing with them are included in Your guide to trouble shooting on page 13. What types of gastrostomy are there?There are several different types of gastrostomy device used at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. It is important to discuss the most suitable type for your child at an early stage. The decision depends on his or her medical condition and age, any special needs your child and family have, any other operations your child needs and the surgeon's expertise. You can change your mind at a later date if the device that is chosen no longer suits your child. These are the main types of devices used at GOSH:
Ref: F000380 © GOSH Trust 2002 This page was last updated on 11 December, 2008 |
UCL Institute of Child Health
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust
