Management of leakage from gastrostomy sites.
Enlargement of a gastrostomal orifice with leakage of gastric content is a bothersome complication of a tube gastrostomy resulting in skin excoriation, fluid loss, and loss of access for enteral nutrition. Thirteen patients with this complication of a Stamm gastrostomy have been treated successfully by replacing a large gastrostomy tube with small silastic tubes for gastric aspiration and decompression and in some cases a small silastic enteral feeding catheter guided endoscopically into the duodenum through the gastric stoma. Karaya pad placement about the stoma to seal the gastric fluids from skin contact was helpful in seven patients. Stomal closure occurred in all 13 patients until a tight cutaneous closure about a 20-24 F catheter was achieved.
D002404:Catheterization; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods