Does a feeding tube need to be in for 6 weeks as a general rule???

[redgtxdi]

Long story very short.......Father-in-law was in a motorcycle accident, suffered broken bones, head trauma, etc. Workin' his way back to health now & was released to go home.......HOWEVER.......the last tube left in him that he's DYING to get out is his feeding tube.

I meant to ask here a week ago & forgot.

We (kids & spouses) are being told that they won't take it out until 6 weeks after it was inserted.

Something about scar tissue??

Just sounds weird to me. Chest tubes can come out any time. IV's can come out any time. Why 6 weeks for a feeding tube?

TIA

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I'd guess that's to reduce risk of sepsis. Chest tubes don't have digested food and accompanying bacterial in the area. I imagine they're waiting for the hole created by the feeding tube to scar up so there isn't any way for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Just picture getting digested food into an unhealed wound - that would create some serious problems. After it scars around the tube, they take it out and it continues to heal normally.

 

[drteming]

I assume that it's a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) tube. In that case, the tube has to be in at least 4-6 weeks before removal. The time allows the stomach to become adherent to the anterior abdominal wall and allow a tract to form. If the tube is removed before that, there is a chance that stomach contents will leak into the abdominal cavity causing peritonitis.

 

[Kipper]

Is dad actually eating all of his meals and fluids by mouth?

 

[Fear No Evil]

I assume that it's a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) tube. In that case, the tube has to be in at least 4-6 weeks before removal. The time allows the stomach to become adherent to the anterior abdominal wall and allow a tract to form. If the tube is removed before that, there is a chance that stomach contents will leak into the abdominal cavity causing peritonitis.

First post since signing up in 2005? Nice.

 

[drteming]

First post since signing up in 2005? Nice.

The ultimate lurker

 

[redgtxdi]

Is dad actually eating all of his meals and fluids by mouth?

Yes, all meals are by mouth now. Although they (lightly) threatened that if he didn't up his appetite, they'd start using the feeding tube again. He gained an affinity for chicken & rice soup & won't get off it. They claimed that wasn't enough. Dunno what's going on there....Not even sure he liked chicken & rice soup b4 the accident but he's eating more stuff now to supplement so he's getting the calories ok now.

The thing that bugs him most right now is the "flushing" at night & morning. The doc wants it done, no exceptions but he feels that the water is filling him up & he claims he's "full". (Part of the appetite prob, too) The sooner that tube's out the better!

The ultimate lurker

LOL!! Didn't even notice that. Ultimate lurker indeed!!!!! =)

 

[drteming]

The thing that bugs him most right now is the "flushing" at night & morning. The doc wants it done, no exceptions but he feels that the water is filling him up & he claims he's "full". (Part of the appetite prob, too) The sooner that tube's out the better!

The volume in the tube shouldn't be that much. In reality, one should only need a couple of tablespoons of water to fully flush out the tube, especially if it's not being used for feeding.

 

[Kipper]

Yes, all meals are by mouth now. Although they (lightly) threatened that if he didn't up his appetite, they'd start using the feeding tube again. He gained an affinity for chicken & rice soup & won't get off it. They claimed that wasn't enough. Dunno what's going on there....Not even sure he liked chicken & rice soup b4 the accident but he's eating more stuff now to supplement so he's getting the calories ok now.

The thing that bugs him most right now is the "flushing" at night & morning. The doc wants it done, no exceptions but he feels that the water is filling him up & he claims he's "full". (Part of the appetite prob, too) The sooner that tube's out the better!

Is Dad overweight? Normal-weight? A toothpick? His satiety may not be related to the tube flushes at all if his appetite simply isn't 100%.

Chicken + rice is not particularly calorific, although it has some amount of protein in it. It's got a ton of fluid, though. This is also liable to promote premature satiety. If Dad had surgery, his calories and protein needs are very high, also given that he has broken bones. Even if had an extended stay in the hospital, losing 10-15 lbs (or more) as a result wouldn't be surprising either.

IF he's not very overweight and has a poor appetite I would be pushing higher calorie, higher protein stuff to make up for the difference. Even if he is overweight I would still advocate enough food to maintain weight...