Gastrostomy

(Last updated: March, 2026)

Walk-In Clinic SKMCH&RC Karachi Site Plot No.1, Health Care Sector, DHA City, Karachi, Pakistan

What is gastrostomy?

A narrow feeding tube is placed through the skin into your stomach so you can receive liquid food, water, and medicines when you cannot eat or swallow properly.

Radiologically inserted gastrostomy tube is inserted under X-ray guidance.

How do I prepare for it?

Before gastrostomy, inform your doctor about any health problems you have, if you are pregnant or you think you might be pregnant, and about all medicines or supplements that you take.

If you regularly use blood-thinning medicines, you may need to stop taking them a few days before this procedure, which your doctor will explain to you.

Do not eat or drink anything 4 hours before your procedure.

How is it performed?

• The procedure usually takes 40-60 minutes.

• You will lie on your back during the procedure.

• If you do not already have one, a small tube will be placed through your nose into your stomach (NG tube) to inflate it slightly with air.

• Local anaesthe c will be injected into the area where the gastrostomy tube will be inserted, usually on the le side of your upper abdomen.

• A small needle will be inserted into your stomach, and a thin guide wire will be passed through it. Then, a so tube will be gently guided to the stomach under image guidance over the guide wire.

What should I expect a erwards?

• A er the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery area where you will be advised to stay in bed for a few hours (usually around 4 hours.)

• Mild stomach ache or bloa ng is common for 1–2 days.

• Feeding through the tube usually starts the next day.

• You will have an appointment scheduled with a die cian a er this procedure.

What are the possible complica ons?

Gastrostomy is a safe procedure, but rarely, complica ons may occur. These can include the following: • Pain • Infec on • Adjacent organ injury • Bleeding In case of a complica on, our team will be there to take care of you. At Shaukat Khanum Hospitals, we take all possible measures to ensure that all procedures are safe and comfortable for all our pa ents.

Seek care right away Seek medical care right away if you have any of the following symptoms a er gastrostomy: • Abdominal swelling • Nausea with vomi ng • Pain during feeding • Fresh bleeding • Displacement/Dislodgement of the tube Are there alterna ves to gastrostomy?

Alterna ves to gastrostomy may include the following: Nasogastric (NG) Tube: A so tube can be placed through your nose and down into your stomach. This is called a nasogastric (NG) tube.

However, this can only be a temporary solu on.

Surgical Gastrostomy: A doctor can place a feeding tube directly into your stomach with a small opera on. This is called a surgical gastrostomy.

Parenteral Nutri on: If gastrostomy tube cannot be inserted then nutri on and fluids can be given directly into your bloodstream.

This is called parenteral nutri on (PN).