title: The MIC-KEY experience with the pediatric patient.
abstract: A gastrostomy, creation of a gastrocutaneous fistulous tract, may be indicated for the pediatric patient with a functional gastrointestinal tract who is unwilling or unable to consume sufficient nutrition to meet caloric needs for optimal growth and development. A gastrostomy may also be used for medication administration, decompression, or access. Several pediatric conditions or anomalies may necessitate gastrostomy. Traditionally, a silicone catheter with a mushroom tip was placed through a gastrostomy. Recently, however, alternative gastrostomy devices have become available. The MIC-KEY device (Medical Innovations Corporation, Milpitas, Calif.) is one such device. This article introduces the ET nurse to the MIC-KEY device as an option and discusses its advantages and disadvantages in the pediatric patient.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borkowski
mesh_terms: D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male