 Gastrojejunal (GJ) Tube Placement
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Gastrojejunal tube placement is a technique in which a special soft feeding catheter is placed through a gastrostomy into the small bowel for feeding.
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At Children's Hospital Boston, gastrojejunal tube placements are performed by the Interventional Radiology Service in the Radiology Department. The use of x-ray guidance allows more rapid and accurate placement of a feeding catheter. Radiologists performing this procedure have special training in interventional radiology and are familiar with the performance of invasive procedures on small infants and children. Radiology technologists and nurses are also familiar with the needs of pediatric patients undergoing these procedures.
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Jejunal feeding may be necessary to avoid aspiration pneumonia in children who, because of neurological impairment, cannot protect their airway. It is also useful to treat severe gastroesphageal reflux, gastric outlet obstruction, and small bowel dysmotility. Jejunal feeding is a benign feeding alternative to intravenous hyperalimentation.
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Gastrojejunal tube placement by an interventional radiologist is a safe procedure, but like any invasive procedure it has associated complications and side effects. These will be explained to you in detail before you give your consent for the procedure. Normally, there is no significant discomfort with this procedure although the patient must be relatively still until the tube is in place.
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No specific preparation is required for this procedure.
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The procedure is performed on an x-ray examination table. Some local anesthetic (numbing medication) is applied to the gastrostomy site. The feeding catheter is passed through the gastrostomy site and then, using a flexible guide wire, the catheter is steered through the stomach and into the small bowel. At the end of the procedure, the catheter is secured, usually by inflating a small balloon within the stomach.
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The catheter and the air within the stomach are visible on the x-ray monitor, permitting the radiologist to guide the catheter through the stomach and into the small bowel. The injection of a small amount of contrast medium (barium) at the end of the procedure allows the radiologist to confirm that the tip of the catheter is in the proper place for feeding.
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The interventional radiologist will discuss the results with you immediately after the procedure.
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Further information can be obtained by calling Children's Interventional Radiology Office at 617-355-6579. The appropriate person will return your call.
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