G-tube vs. J-tube

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Does anyone have experience with the different locations for tubes to go in? I'm afraid that my son, Asher, may have to have a feeding tube soon and, although no dr has mentioned the J-tube as an option, I've wondered if it would be better than the G-tube they keep talking about. The reason is that they have not ruled out gastric motility problems as at least one of the reasons that Ash does not seem to like to eat. He does not throw up often like a lot of gastric motility kids but does have reflux - I'm thinking that the J-tube might allow him to get nutrition if he does have gastric motility problems.{he's been dx as failure to thrive, has trouble gaining or even keeping on weight} Anyone know the pros and cons of these things?

Anne R

Mom to Ash (don't know diagnosis yet, myopathy? mito? pyruvate dehy...?) and Sam (no myopathy, no mito, but primary immune deficiency)

[Guest guest]

Anne,

I can tell you several advantages and disadvantages for G vs J. First a G tube can be fed at a higher rate or a bolus. Although, if reflux or gastric emptying is a problem than a G-tube does not necessarily bypass that problem. A G-tube or button has a bigger target area for insertion and sometimes can be put in with an endoscopy avoiding major surgery. A G-tube or button can be transformed easily into a G-J tube which can be inserted in radiology. A disadvantage though of a G-J tube is that the tube portion that goes into the jejuneum (small intestine) can easily migrate back into the stomach. A J-tube means slower feeding rates and longer hours on a pump. A J-tube site has always been more painful for my son. The tube is inserted into a smaller area where the gastric juices can more easily leak out from. We have motility issues and the J-button/tube has not been effective for avoiding those issues. HTH, Loriann (mom to Lucas 8 years next month)