DHAT- Digestive Health Associates of Texas: PEG Procedure

Procedures

Placement of PEG (Percutaneous Gastrostomy tube) is a procedure in which a tube is passed from the stomach through the skin to assist in drainage of the stomach or in delivering nutrition or medications for patients who are unable to otherwise ingest adequate oral nutrition.

What to Expect

A PEG tube is placed when a patient is unable to normally ingest nutrition or medications or when the stomach needs to be drained. Your doctor will give you medication through a vein to help you sleep during the procedure and better tolerate any discomfort from the procedure. The endoscope tube will be passed through the mouth and throat to guide the stomach tube being placed. A local anesthetic will be used to deaden the skin through which the tube will be passed. The skin will be cleaned thoroughly with a solution to kill germs on the skin. A small incision (cut) will be made in the skin, through which the physician will pass the tube from the stomach. The tube will be secured in place to prevent it from slipping out. You may feel some tenderness around the tube for several days.

Preparation:

You will need to have nothing by mouth from midnight unless specifically instructed otherwise by your physician. Be sure to tell your physician about any medications you are receiving. You will receive a medication in the vein to help you sleep during the procedure. The skin will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution to kill germs on the skin. A local anesthetic will be used to deaden the skin through which the tube will be passed out from the stomach. You will need someone to take you home, since the medication may make you drowsy.

Disclaimer: Nothing found at this website should be construed as medical advice or treatment recommendations. For any symptoms you may have, you should see your family physician or a gastroenterologist.