Patient education: How to care for a G tube or G button (The Basics)

What are G tubes and G buttons? — Gastrostomy tubes and buttons (also called "G tubes" and "G buttons") are types of feeding tubes (figure 1). They are ways of getting food and nutrients when you cannot get enough nutrition from eating and drinking by mouth. The tube lets you feed yourself liquid food or formula through the feeding tube. This liquid food has all of the nutrients you need. You might also use the tube to give yourself medicines.

A G tube is inserted through the stomach wall and guided into the stomach during a surgery. In some cases, the tube extends into the small intestine. When this happens, it is called a "GJ" tube. Often, the doctor will use a special tool called an "endoscope" to help them place the tube. Tubes put in this way are called "percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy" ("PEG") tubes.

After a G tube is placed:

●Some tubing might stick out of the belly. This part is usually about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) long.

●Some people get something called a "G button." With a G button, there is no tubing sticking out of the body. Instead, you have a "button" that is mostly flat against your skin. When you need to feed yourself though a G button, you connect an "extension set" of tubing to the button opening.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

After the tube is put in, your doctor or nurse will tell you how to care for your incision (cut) and what to expect as it heals. They will also talk to you about the kind of tube you have and how to care for it. The exact steps might be different depending on the type of tube.

To keep the feeding tube clean:

●Wash your hands before and after touching the tube or the area where it enters your body.

●Clean the skin around the tube each day using mild soap and water. The rest of the time, keep the skin around the tube clean and dry.

●If you have a dressing or bandage, change it each day or any time it gets dirty or wet.

●Your doctor might tell you to turn the tube a little each time you clean it. This keeps the tube turning freely. Your doctor or nurse will let you know if you need to turn the tube.

●For some types of tubes, you cover the opening and area around the tube with a small square of gauze. Put the gauze on top of the small disc where the tube comes out of your skin, not between the disc and your skin.

To make sure that the tube is secure and in the right place:

●Know how far out the tube should be – Most tubes or buttons can move in or out a little bit (about 1/2 to 1 inch, or 1 to 2 cm). They should not move more than that. Put a mark on the tube where it comes out of the skin and make sure that it doesn't move too much. Some tubes might come with markings already on them.

●You might want to tape the tube to your skin – This can keep it from pulling or moving too much.

●Some tubes have a "balloon bolster" inside the stomach to help keep them in the right place. If the tube has a balloon, you sometimes might need to add more fluid to it to keep it inflated. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to do this and show you how.

How do I use the G tube or G button to feed myself? — Your doctor or nurse will talk to you about the exact amount and kind of liquid food or formula to use, and show you how to give it. Follow your doctor's or nurse's instructions.

What else should I know? — Even if you don't eat or drink anything by mouth, it's still important to take care of your mouth and teeth. Brush 2 to 3 times a day, and floss regularly.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●The tube gets clogged – Try flushing the tube with 30 mL (1 ounce) of water to clear the clog. Do not try to use a wire or anything else to remove the clog in the tube without talking to your doctor. Your doctor or nurse might give you a special medicine or a plastic brush to unclog the tube.

●The tube comes out accidentally.

●The tube has moved too much – If you see more or less of the tube than expected, call the doctor before you give a feeding or any medicine through the tube.

●You think that you might have an infection. Signs of infection might include:

•Redness, swelling, bleeding, and soreness around the tube

•Drainage or pus around the tube

•A bad smell coming from the tube

•Problems with your tube, such as leaking, clogging, falling out, moving too much, or being too loose or too tight

•Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

•Swelling or pain in the belly

•Loose or hard stools

•Nausea or vomiting

More on this topic

Patient education: Enteral (tube) feeding (The Basics)
Patient education: Advance directives (The Basics)
Patient education: Medical care during advanced illness (The Basics)
Patient education: What to expect in the NICU (The Basics)
Patient education: Surgical gastrostomy (The Basics)
Patient education: How to give a tube feeding (The Basics)
Patient education: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in adults (The Basics)