GASTRIC BUTTON OR GASTROSTOMY BUTTON

WHAT IS IT?

A gastrostomy button, also known as a gastric button, is a medical device that is surgically implanted into the stomach. It is used as an alternative to oral feeding for people who have difficulty swallowing or who require long-term feeding through a tube.

The gastrostomy button consists of a tube that is placed through the abdominal wall into the stomach. The tube is connected to an external reservoir of food and fluids, which can be regularly refilled. Feeding is administered through the tube and the gastric button, allowing the person to receive adequate nutrition without the need to swallow. It is important for people with a gastrostomy button to follow medical and dietary guidelines to maintain their health and prevent complications.

This gastrostomy button consists of an inflatable balloon and a tube connected to a valve that is inserted into the stomach through an incision in the skin. The tube is held in place in the stomach with the inflated balloon, which is filled with a saline solution.

Food is administered through a tube connected to the button valve and the flow of food is controlled by regulating the pressure in the balloon. Medication can also be administered through the tube and button.

It is an alternative to oral feeding in people who have difficulty swallowing or absorbing food by mouth due to diseases such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis or throat cancer.

Botón de gastrostomía

IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF GASTRIC BUTTON CARE

  1. Proper diet: You should eat a balanced, low-fat diet to maintain proper nutrition. Your doctor or dietician can provide specific dietary recommendations.
  2. Button hygiene: You should wash your hands before handling the button and make sure the skin around the button is clean and dry.
  3. Infection control: Watch for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or fever, and report them immediately to your doctor.
  4. Regular check-ups: You should have regular check-ups with your doctor to monitor the condition of your button and make any necessary adjustments.
  5. Proper tube handling: You should be careful when handling the tube and make sure it is connected correctly at all times.
  6. Regular tube changes: You should schedule regular tube changes to keep the tube in good condition and prevent complications.
  7. Following medical guidelines: You must follow your doctor’s medical instructions and guidelines to maintain the health of your gastrostomy button.

STOMACH CARE

It is important to take the following steps to care for the area around the gastrostomy button:

  1. Clean the area around the gastric button daily with soap and warm water, using circular motions from the inside out.
  2. Dry the area carefully to avoid complications, you can use a cotton swab.
  3. Check that the area around the gastric button is not red or inflamed. If any complications are detected, go immediately to the emergency department..

BUTTON CARE

It is important to follow the following care for the gastrostomy button:

  1. Turn the gastric button completely once a day.
  2. Check that the cap is tightly closed when not in use.
  3. Check the amount of water in the balloon twice a month. To do this, connect a syringe to the balloon valve and withdraw the water. If the amount is less than what was added at the last change, fill the syringe with distilled water until full and reinsert it into the balloon.
  4. Keep the balloon valve clean for proper operation.
  5. If the gastrostomy button is used sporadically, check it weekly for clogging. To do this, suction through an extension with a syringe and check that it is correctly applied. Then add a small amount of water to keep it clean.

CARE OF THE GASTRIC BUTTON FEEDING EXTENSIONS

The gastrostomy button needs extensions to feed and medicate the patient. To keep it in good condition it is important to follow the following steps:

  • External cleaning: Clean the extensions of the gastric button every day with warm water.
  • Internal cleaning: Before and after each meal, pass 10-15 cc of boiled water at room temperature through the extensions to remove food debris. Hot water should not be used to clean the extensions as this may damage them. If they deteriorate, they can be replaced without changing the button.

FOOD ADMINISTRATION

Feeding is administered through a tube connected to the valve of the gastrostomy button. Before each meal, a bag of liquid food is connected to the tube and the flow of food is regulated by adjusting the pressure on the balloon. The amount and type of food is carefully monitored to ensure adequate nutrition and prevent complications.

It is important to note that gastrostomy button feeding requires regular monitoring by a doctor or nurse to ensure that nutrition is being properly administered and to prevent complications.

MEDICINE ADMINISTRATION

Medication is administered through a tube connected to the valve of the gastrostomy button. Medication can be added directly to the feeding bag or by syringe through the tube. It is important to follow the physician’s instructions and the directions on the medication label to ensure proper dosing.

It is important to note that administering medication through a gastrostomy button requires regular monitoring by a doctor or nurse to ensure that the medication is being administered properly and to prevent complications.

DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES

With a gastrostomy button, most daily activities can be performed without interruption. Some of the activities that can be performed include:

  • Work or study: with a gastrostomy button, most people can continue with their work or studies without interruption.
  • Exercise and sports: depending on physical activity, some people can continue with their exercise and sports routine.
  • Travel: with a gastrostomy button, many people can travel without interruptions in their nutrition and medication.
  • Family and social activities: Most people with a gastrostomy button can continue to participate in family and social activities without interruption.

It is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations and pay attention to any signs of problems with the gastrostomy button.

PROBLEMS, CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

Some problems that can arise with a gastrostomy button include:

  1. Infection: there may be an infection at the gastrostomy button insertion site, which can cause pain, redness and fever.
  2. Button dislodgement: the gástric button may dislodge or move, which may interfere with feeding and require medical intervention.
  3. Tube blockage: the tube may become blocked, which may interfere with feeding and require medical intervention.
  4. Skin irritation: the skin around the gastric button may become irritated, which may cause pain and require treatment.

CAUSES

  1. Infection: infection can be caused by poor hygiene or by bacteria entering the gastric button insertion site.
  2. Button dislodgement: Dislodgement can be caused by carelessness or strenuous physical activity.
  3. Tube blockage: blockage may be caused by accumulation of food or medication in the tube.
  4. Skin irritation: irritation may be caused by friction of the gastric button against the skin or lack of hygiene.

SOLUTIONS

  1. Infection: can be treated with antibiotics and improved hygiene.
  2. Button dislodgement: the gastric button can be repositioned by a physician.
  3. Tube blockage: the tube can be cleaned to remove the blockage.
  4. Skin irritation: can be treated with mild creams and increased hygiene.

It is important to seek immediate medical attention if any problems occur with the gastrostomy button.

At AQB we offer high quality home care and hospital care services. With qualified and highly trained staff, AQB provides comprehensive and professional care for children and people with a gastrostomy button. We strive to ensure personalised and reliable care, so that your patients and their families feel safe and cared for at all times. With AQB, you can rest assured that your loved one is in good hands, contact us.

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