Tube Talk
Thank you to everyone who sent material for the “Tube Talk” column. Anyone who is interested in participating can send their tips, questions and thoughts about tube feeding to: Tube Talk, c/o The Oley Foundation, 214 Hun Memorial MC-28, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208; or E-mail harrinc@mail.amc.edu.
Information shared in this column represents the experience of that individual and should not imply endorsement by the Oley Foundation. The Foundation strongly encourages readers to discuss any suggestions with their physician and/or wound care nurse before making any changes in their care.
Carol Kirkland is the mother of 13 year-old Nathan Chin. Nathan
has been on a feeding tube for about 12 years. He is in the process of working
on eating enough to get his tube taken out. Carol contacted Oley wondering how
others fare when venting access is removed. She also wonders if physicians just
allow the site to heal and leave the stomach attached to the skin at the
insertion point.
In response to this query, Dr. Howard writes, "The surgically created tract may or may not spontaneously heal after a long period with a G tube. If it doesn't heal in three to four weeks, we usually close it surgically. This is a minor procedure. The stomach is always left attached to the anterior abdominal wall."