Blocked Tubes: (G-Tube, J-Tube)

Presentation

The patient presents complaining of a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) or jejunostomy tube (J-tube) that is not functioning properly. The most common complaints are that the tube is obstructed, leaking, displaced, or that there is pain and/or redness surrounding the stoma. Depending on how long the complication has persisted and how dependent on the tube the patient is, the presentation can range from otherwise well-appearing patients to severely dehydrated or malnourished patients. Patients may also have missed several doses of their medications if they are usually given through the tube.