What is PEG Tube Removal

A PEG tube (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube) is a feeding tube that is used to deliver food, medicine, and fluids directly into your stomach. It is placed into your stomach through a small incision in your abdomen.

You may have a PEG tube if you have had trouble swallowing, have had problems with your appetite, or otherwise have not been able to get enough nutrition by eating or drinking.

When you do not need the PEG tube anymore, your health care provider will do a simple procedure to remove it.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Damage to other structures or organs such as the stomach, intestines, or liver.
• Leaking of stomach contents.

What happens before the procedure?

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about feeding, eating, or drinking restrictions.
• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines unless your health care provider tells you to take them.

What happens during the procedure?

• Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
• You will lie on your back with your abdomen exposed.
• The area around the PEG tube will be cleaned with a germ-killing (antiseptic) solution.
• The area around the tube opening may be numbed with an injection of medicine (local anesthetic).
• If the PEG tube has a balloon inside your stomach, the air will be let out of the balloon (the balloon will be deflated).
• Your health care provider will pull out the tube. You may feel some pressure or stinging.
• A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the opening.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your health care provider will give you instructions for care at home, including how to care for the opening in your skin where the tube was removed.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you. You may be told to avoid heavy lifting.

Summary

• When you do not need a PEG tube anymore, it will be removed with a simple procedure.
• This is a safe procedure, but sometimes problems happen. These can include bleeding, infection, and leaking of stomach contents.
• During the procedure, you will lie on your back so the tube can be removed through your abdomen.
• Before the PEG tube is removed, you may be given a medicine to numb the area around the tube opening (local anesthetic).
• The opening will be covered with a bandage (dressing).

PEG Tube Removal, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Mild discomfort at the opening in your skin where the tube was removed (tube removal site).
• A small amount of drainage from the opening.

Follow these instructions at home:

Care of the tube removal site

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your tube removal site. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
• Check your tube removal site every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you may take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Do not lift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg), or the limit that you are told, until your health care provider says that it is safe.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have a fever.
• You have pain in your abdomen.
• You have redness, swelling, or pain around your tube removal site.
• You have fluid or blood coming from your tube removal site.
• Your tube removal site feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your tube removal site.
• You have nausea or vomiting.

Get help right away if:

• You have persistent bleeding from your tube removal site.
• You have severe pain in your abdomen.
• You are not able to eat or drink anything by mouth.

Summary

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your tube removal site.
• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you may take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths.
• Check your tube removal site every day for signs of infection.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider.