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How To Flush Remnants Of Food While Having A Gastrostomy Tube?

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Posted on Mon, 6 Mar 2017
Question: My Dad is 90 years old and had a feeding tube put in a year ago.
Now there is food formula residual that are permately visible in the tube that is about an inch and a half long. I was worried that this permenent formula residual has turned into bacteria becouse it has been there now for weeks. I have my Dad squeduled to get a new tube tomorrow becouse of my fear of the tube having bacteria from the permenant food residual in the tube.

Did I make a mistake to get a new one by causing an unecesary risk with the procedure
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Thank you for posting your question on HealthcareMagic.
This does happen with feeding tube and I presume it is PEG tube right?
The formula feed will not be flushed out completely and the residue remains stuck to the tube eventually blocking it .
Even if you had not decided to go in for an elective replacement you would have had to.go in for it sooner or later.
At 90 any procedure even a naso gastric tube would be equally risky but it has to be done .
Hope this helps
Best wishes
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
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Answered by
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Dr. Rahul Tawde

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1980

Answered : 1 Question

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How To Flush Remnants Of Food While Having A Gastrostomy Tube?

Brief Answer: No Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for posting your question on HealthcareMagic. This does happen with feeding tube and I presume it is PEG tube right? The formula feed will not be flushed out completely and the residue remains stuck to the tube eventually blocking it . Even if you had not decided to go in for an elective replacement you would have had to.go in for it sooner or later. At 90 any procedure even a naso gastric tube would be equally risky but it has to be done . Hope this helps Best wishes