Flushing the Tube
To flush the G-J port of your tube, use a syringe to slowly push warm, clean tap water into the side opening of the G-port or J-port of the connector. The syringe may be washed in warm water, air dried and reused.
Medication or Feeding
Your doctor or nurse will give you instructions about which port to use for medications and feedings. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully. Do not mix medications unless you are told to do so by your doctor.
Protecting the Tube
Keep your child from pulling on their tube. There are several different ways of securing a G-J tube. Your child's doctor or nurse will discuss these with you. Here are some suggestions:
- Keep the tube taped or pinned to the diaper or shirt.
- Keep the child's T-shirt over the tube. One-piece, snap T-shirts work best for infants and toddlers.
- Another way to cover the tube is to use an ACE wrap or stretchy gauze over it.
- Most children get used to the tube after a while, but until they do, they may need to wear elbow splints if needed.
- Be sure to keep the end of the tube closed as directed.
Problem Solving
The following is an emergency problem that can occur with a G-J tube. For an emergency, take your child to the emergency room.
Emergency problem: G-J tube is forcefully pulled out.
Before coming to the emergency room: If bleeding happens, press on the site with a clean, soft cloth. The opening in the stomach may close within hours, so it is important to go to the emergency room as soon as possible. When a G-J tube is replaced, it is important to make sure that the tube is in the right place by taking an X-ray. Be sure to bring the tube with you to the emergency room.
The following are non-emergency problems that can happen with your child's G-J tube. Remember to let your child's doctor know if your child will miss a feeding because of a problem with their G-J tube.
| Problem | What to Do |
| G-J tube site is red and sore or has green or white liquid where the tube enters the skin. | Clean as per instructions. Call your child's doctor. If your child also has a fever (higher than 100.4), this is an emergency. Call your child's doctor immediately. |
|
G-J tube site is leaking large amounts of clear and/or mucus-like liquid. (Large amounts = soaks a 4x4 gauze three or more times a day.) |
Call your child's doctor or nurse. |
|
Skin or scar appears to be growing where tube enters skin. |
Clean as per instructions. Call your child's doctor or nurse. |
|
J-tube is clogged. |
Try to slowly push warm water into the tube with a 10 mL regular-tip syringe. Use slow, easy pushing. Never try to push any object into the tube to unclog it. If you are unable to unclog the tube, call your child's doctor or nurse. |
|
If your child is vomiting feedings or their stomach is bloated, the J-tube may not be in the right place. |
Check the marking on the tube to see if it has moved. Call your child's doctor. If the doctor thinks that the tube is out of place, you may need to schedule an appointment for an X-ray. |
| MIC-KEY G-J tubes need to be replaced about every six months. | If your child's tube needs to be changed, call your child's doctor or nurse to schedule this, or call Radiology through the Cincinnati Children's operator at 513-636-4200. |
