What are G and GJ tubes?
Gastrostomy tubes (G tubes) and gastrojejunostomy tubes (GJ tubes) are feeding devices. A G tube gives liquid nutrition, medication and other fluids directly into the stomach. A GJ tube gives liquid nutrition, medication and other fluids directly into the small intestine (the jejunum). Both G tubes and GJ tubes are placed in a surgical opening in your child's tummy (abdomen) called the stoma. The tunnel from the outside of the body into the stomach is called the tract.
Common solutions to problems with G and GJ tubes
Mechanical problems
Replace the balloon G tube
Gravity feeds stop running during the feed
| Why is this happening? | How to solve the problem |
|---|---|
| Roller clamp is not open enough | Open the roller clamp more |
| Feeding bag or tube is blocked | Remove the feeding bag; empty formula from the bag and rinse with warm water Flush the tube with a minimum of 5 to 10 mL of warm water Remove and clean the extension set on your child’s tube Replace the feeding bag and extension set Replace the balloon G tube |
| Your child shifted position | Monitor the feed while it is running |
Pump beeps continuously/Pump gives you an error message/Pump stops unexpectedly
| Why is this happening? | How to solve the problem |
|---|---|
| Tubing is not properly placed in pump | Check the feeding bag tubing for kinks or disconnection Restart the pump |
| The feeding bag or tube is blocked | Remove the feeding bag; empty formula from the bag and rinse with warm water; re-insert it in the pump Flush the tube with a minimum of 5 to 10 mL of warm water Remove and clean the extension set on your child’s tube Replace the feeding bag and extension set |
| Pump malfunctions | Call the help number on the back of your pump or call the store you purchased your pump from for assistance |
Feeding bag or tubing are still blocked after rinsing
| Why is this happening? | How to solve the problem |
|---|---|
| Old formula or medication residues may block tubing | Clean with soap and water after each feed Use white vinegar solution Change the feeding bag |
The Corflo PEG Y-adaptor is broken
| Why is this happening? | How to solve the problem |
|---|---|
| The adaptor is old, or became damaged during use | Change the Y-adaptor |
The clamp on the Corflo PEG tube is not working properly
| Why is this happening? | How to solve the problem |
|---|---|
| The clamp is damaged | Replace the clamp on the Corflo PEG tube |
The crossbar is too tight or too loose on the Corflo PEG or Corflo PEG J tube
| Why is this happening? | How to solve the problem |
|---|---|
| The crossbar was not adjusted properly or it moved | Gently slide the round piece above the crossbar and the crossbar itself up or down the tube Do not pull on the tube |
Your child is unwell
Vomiting
| Why is this happening? | How to help your child |
|---|---|
| There may be stomach or intestine problems (gastrointestinal condition, such as poor stomach emptying, reflux, obstruction or constipation) | Talk to your doctor about treatment for reflux and/or constipation |
| Illness (gastrointestinal virus or respiratory illness) | You may need to slow down the feed rate or give smaller feeds more often Give Pedialyte or Enfalyte if your child is not tolerating their regular feeds See your child’s doctor if you are concerned about dehydration |
| Stomach is too full | Stop the feed and vent the G tube |
| The feed was given too quickly | Reassess the rate of the feed Use appropriate feeding method (bolus, continuous, gravity, pump) Vent the G tube |
| Broken/leaking tube | Examine the tube for defects and/or breakage Replace the balloon G tube if broken |
| Tube migration | Check mark on G tube |
| Aspiration | Elevate your child’s head during feed |
| GJ tube migration | Call the G tube resource nurse |
Diarrhea
| Why is this happening? | How to help your child |
|---|---|
| Formula intolerance | Talk to your child’s health-care team about switching to a different formula |
| Gastrointestinal virus (stomach flu) | You may need to slow down the feed rate or give smaller feeds more often Give Pedialyte or Enfalyte if your child is not tolerating their regular feeds See your child’s doctor if you are concerned about dehydration |
| Gastrointestinal condition (short bowel syndrome, bowel inflammation) | Decrease rate of feed until your child’s diarrhea disappears and slowly build back up to their usual rate |
| Your child suffers from side effects due to antibiotics | Talk to your child’s health care team if your child has developed diarrhea while on antibiotics |
| GJ tube migration | Call the G tube resource nurse or your G tube specialist |