Deciding to permanently remove a feeding tube

Download PDF Print

PDF download is not available for Arabic and Urdu languages at this time. Please use the browser print function instead

A G, GJ or combination G/GJ tube may be a permanent way to feed some children. For others, it is temporary and may be removed in the future. Learn how to make the decision to permanently remove your child’s feeding tube.

Key points

  • The decision to permanently remove your child’s feeding tube is made between you and your child’s primary care provider.
  • Your child may be ready for permanent tube removal if they are able to take all of their nutrition, hydration and medications by mouth, all the time; they do not need to use their feeding tube when they are sick; and they do not have any upcoming procedures or surgeries that will affect their eating.
  • You or your child’s primary care provider can remove balloon gastrostomy (G) or jejunostomy (J) tubes independently.
  • Corflo PEG tubes, Mac Loc tubes, gastrojejunostomy (GJ) tubes and combination G/GJ tubes must be removed by a health-care provider.

Who can help you make the decision about permanently removing your child’s feeding tube?

The best people to help you decide to remove your child’s feeding tube are those that monitor your child’s weight, manage your child’s feeding and nutrition plan, and know your child’s medical history. This is usually your child’s primary care provider (e.g., pediatrician, family doctor or nurse practitioner). The G tube team will support you and your child through tube and stoma issues, but they do not make decisions on nutrition or feeding related care.

What should I consider before permanently removing my child’s feeding tube?

Once a feeding tube is removed and the stoma closes, the only way to re-insert another tube is for your child to undergo surgery again. This is why careful considerations are needed before permanent tube removal. Consider these statements before permanently removing your child’s feeding tube:

  • My child has been taking all of their nutrition, hydration and medications by mouth, all the time, for at least two to three months.
  • My child has been sick and not needed to use their feeding tube.
  • There are no upcoming procedures or surgeries that would affect my child's ability to eat by mouth.

If you can say ‘yes' to all three statements, your child may be ready for permanent tube removal.

What next?

Once you and your child’s primary care provider have decided that it is safe to permanently remove your child’s tube, there are two options:

  1. If your child has a balloon gastrostomy (G) or jejunostomy (J) tube, you or your child’s primary care provider can remove the tube. For more information on how to remove a feeding tube permanently, see G/GJ tubes: Permanent feeding tube removal.
  2. If you or your child’s primary care provider are not comfortable removing the balloon G or J tube, contact your child’s G tube specialist for support.

The following tubes should not be removed at home. Contact your child’s G tube specialist to organize this.

  • Avanos Corflo PEG tubes require a general anaesthetic to be removed and will be removed in the Image Guided Therapy (IGT) department.
  • Cook Mac Loc tubes can be removed by your child’s G tube specialist.
  • Balloon gastrojejunostomy (GJ) and combination G/GJ tubes can be removed by your child’s G tube specialist.
Last updated: April 15th 2024