Feeding tube (gastrostomy)

A procedure to place a feeding tube directly into a child's stomach through the tummy wall, so they can be fed, given fluids and given medicines when feeding by mouth is not enough.

✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review

In short

A gastrostomy places a feeding tube through the tummy wall into the stomach so a child can be fed, hydrated and given medicines when eating by mouth is not enough.
It supports feeding but does not cure the underlying condition; many children can still taste or eat some food by mouth if it is safe.
It is usually placed under a general anaesthetic and the stoma typically takes 1–2 weeks to heal; daily care at home becomes routine with training.
Most problems are minor (skin irritation, granulation tissue, leakage); serious problems are uncommon, and the first 72 hours after placement or a tube change are the key time to watch for warning signs.

A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.

At a glance

TypeEndoscopic procedure to place a feeding tube

AnaestheticGeneral anaesthetic

How long it takesUsually under an hour for the procedure itself

Hospital stayUsually a short hospital stay (often overnight or a few days)

Time off workAbout 1 week off nursery or school while the area settles

When you'll see resultsThe tube can usually be used for feeding within hours to a day, on the team's advice

On the NHS?Routinely done on the NHS when a child cannot get enough nutrition by mouth

A general guide. Your specialist will give you advice for your situation.

Best fit

Provides reliable nutrition, fluids and medicines when feeding by mouth is unsafe or not enough

Pause if

A child who only needs short-term feeding support, where a nasogastric tube may be more appropriate.

Main recovery point

Your child wakes from the anaesthetic in recovery. They may be sleepy, a little uncomfortable around the tummy, and occasionally feel sick. Pain relief...

Good aftercare

Hands-on tube-care and feeding-pump training for parents and carers before discharge.

First few hours

Your child wakes from the anaesthetic in recovery. They may be sleepy, a little uncomfortable around the tummy...

First 24–72 hours

Feeds and fluids are usually started through the tube on the team's advice and built up gradually. This is the key...

First 1–2 weeks

The stoma heals, with a small amount of clear discharge being normal. Washing and showering are usually allowed...

Weeks to first months

Daily tube and skin care becomes routine. The team reviews how your child is tolerating feeds and growing, and...

Medical line illustration of peg feeding tube for Feeding tube (gastrostomy). — Illustration only - not a diagnosis, medical advice or a promise of result. Your anatomy and treatment plan may differ. Vuemedics does not publish before-and-after photos.

What is a feeding tube (gastrostomy)?

A gastrostomy is a small opening (called a stoma) made through the tummy wall into the stomach, with a feeding tube held in place inside it. It lets a child receive feed, fluids and medicines straight into the stomach when they cannot eat enough by mouth, cannot swallow safely, or need feeding support for a long time.

The most common way to place one in children is a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy). The team uses a gastroscope — a thin, flexible telescope with a camera — passed through the mouth into the stomach to guide the tube into the right place. It is done under a general anaesthetic. Some children have the tube placed using X-ray guidance (a RIG) or during keyhole surgery instead; your team will explain which is right for your child.

A gastrostomy is about making feeding safer, more comfortable and more reliable. It does not treat the underlying condition that caused the feeding problem, and many children still eat or taste some food by mouth alongside tube feeds if it is safe for them to do so. It is usually meant to stay in for months or years, but it can be removed if it is no longer needed.

Types, options & approaches

There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.

PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy)

The most common method in children. A gastroscope is passed through the mouth into the stomach to guide a tube through the tummy wall. Done under general anaesthetic.

Radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG)

The tube is placed using X-ray (and sometimes ultrasound) guidance rather than a telescope. May be chosen when an endoscope cannot be passed safely or the anatomy is unusual.

Surgical or laparoscopic gastrostomy

The tube is placed during keyhole or open surgery, sometimes at the same time as another operation such as a procedure to reduce reflux (fundoplication).

Button (low-profile) device

A short device that sits almost flat against the skin. A first long PEG tube is often changed to a button later, once the stoma is well established.

Gastrostomy compared with a nasogastric (NG) tube

Feature	Gastrostomy	Nasogastric (NG) tube
How it sits	Through the tummy wall into the stomach	Through the nose, down to the stomach
Best for	Longer-term feeding support	Short-term feeding support
Visible on the face	No	Yes – tube taped to the cheek
Placement	Procedure under general anaesthetic	Passed at the bedside, position checked each use
Risk of being pulled out	Lower once healed	Higher – can be dislodged

An NG tube is often used first. A gastrostomy is usually considered when feeding support is likely to be needed for many weeks or longer. Your child's team will advise.

Preparing for your procedure

Meet the team (often a paediatric surgeon, gastroenterologist or interventional radiologist, plus a dietitian and nurse specialist) to discuss why a tube is advised and what to expect.
Talk through consent as the parent or carer, including the risks and the alternatives, and ask any questions before signing.
Tell the team about your child's other conditions and all medicines, including any blood thinners, as some may need to be adjusted.
Follow the fasting instructions carefully – your child will need an empty stomach for the general anaesthetic and the procedure.
Pack comfort items for your child and plan for a short hospital stay; one parent can usually stay.
Ask the nurse specialist to arrange feeding-pump and supplies training, and a community nursing or dietitian contact for home.
Make sure you leave with written aftercare instructions and a number to call if you are worried.

What happens

Your child is given a general anaesthetic so they are asleep and feel nothing. For a PEG, the team passes a gastroscope through the mouth into the stomach and gently inflates the stomach with a little air so they can see clearly.

Using the camera light to find the right spot, they make a small opening through the tummy wall and pass the feeding tube through it. The tube is held in place by a soft disc (sometimes called a bumper or flange) on the inside and a fixing plate on the outside. The procedure itself usually takes under an hour.

Afterwards your child wakes up in recovery and is taken back to the ward. The team will tell you when feeds and fluids can start through the tube – often within hours to a day – and the nurse specialist will start showing you how to care for the tube and the skin around it.

Is this procedure right for me?

A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.

May not be suitable if…

A child who only needs short-term feeding support, where a nasogastric tube may be more appropriate.
Where the stomach cannot be reached or positioned safely, or the anatomy makes a standard PEG unsafe – a different method may be needed.
Where severe, unmanaged reflux or another problem means feeding straight into the stomach may not be tolerated and a different feeding route should be considered.
Where bleeding cannot be safely controlled or an infection or other acute problem must be treated first.

Delay or rearrange if…

Your child has an active infection or is acutely unwell.
Blood-thinning or other medicines need to be adjusted before the procedure.
Fasting instructions for the anaesthetic have not been followed.
Feeding goals, the chosen method, or home support arrangements have not yet been agreed with the family.

Alternatives to discuss

Continuing with a nasogastric tube for shorter-term feeding support.
Support to feed safely by mouth where possible, with speech and language therapy input.
A different feeding route (such as a tube that delivers feed beyond the stomach) where reflux or stomach problems make gastrostomy feeding difficult.
Reviewing the overall plan with the wider team if feeding goals or the underlying condition change.

Before you decide

Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.

What matters most to me?

Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.

What are all my options?

Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.

What would make me pause?

Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.

What happens if I do nothing today?

For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.

Comfort, sedation or contrast choices

If local anaesthetic, sedation, contrast or pain relief is used, ask what is planned, why, and what it means afterwards.

General anaesthetic

Standard for gastrostomy placement in children so they are asleep and still throughout. Risks are discussed with the anaesthetist before the procedure.

Benefits

Provides reliable nutrition, fluids and medicines when feeding by mouth is unsafe or not enough
Can take the stress and pressure out of mealtimes for the child and family
Avoids a tube on the face, unlike a nasogastric tube, and is harder to pull out once healed
Lets medicines be given easily and consistently
Many children can still taste or eat some food by mouth alongside tube feeds if it is safe
Can be removed later if a child no longer needs it

Risks & complications

More common

Redness, soreness or a small amount of clear discharge at the stoma while it heals
Overgrowth of soft red tissue around the stoma (granulation tissue), which can bleed a little or weep
Leakage of feed or stomach fluid around the tube
Mild tummy discomfort for the first day or two

Less common

Infection of the skin around the stoma, sometimes needing antibiotics
The tube becoming blocked, or being pulled out or displaced
The internal disc becoming embedded in the stomach wall over time (buried bumper)
Reflux of feed, or feed not being tolerated, needing the feeding plan to be adjusted

Rare but serious

Bleeding that needs treatment
The bowel being injured or another organ being caught, including a connection forming between stomach and bowel (gastrocolic fistula)
Infection spreading inside the tummy (peritonitis)
Serious problems related to the general anaesthetic

The most important time to watch closely is the first 72 hours after the tube is placed or changed, when serious problems are most likely to show. Severe tummy pain, a swollen or hard tummy, persistent vomiting, fever, fresh bleeding or breathing difficulty needs urgent assessment. Ask the team who to call at any time of day and what each warning sign means for your child.

Published figures to discuss

Reported complication rates vary with the child's age, underlying conditions, the method used and how long the tube is followed up. Most complications are minor and treatable, while serious complications are uncommon. The figures below are from published paediatric series and meta-analyses and are best read as cautious guides rather than a prediction for any individual child.

Figure	Reported range	How to interpret it	Source / confidence
Any complication (mostly minor)	Around a third of children in one single-centre series (35%, 13 of 40)	Most were minor, such as local infection, granulation tissue or mechanical issues; rates differ between studies and centres.	Major complications after PEG vs laparoscopy-assisted gastrostomy in children (meta-analysis) – PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure
Minor wound infection	The most common complication in that series	Often managed with skin care and, where needed, antibiotics.	Major complications after PEG vs laparoscopy-assisted gastrostomy in children (meta-analysis) – PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context
Major complication	Uncommon – about 1 in 40 (2.7%) in the same series; comparable low rates reported in meta-analyses	Includes problems such as a gastrocolic fistula needing surgery; reported rates vary by method and study.	Major complications after PEG vs laparoscopy-assisted gastrostomy in children (meta-analysis) – PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure

These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.

What happens afterwards

After the procedure your child recovers from the general anaesthetic first, then the stoma settles over the next week or two. With training, tube care quickly becomes part of the daily routine at home.

First few hours

Your child wakes from the anaesthetic in recovery. They may be sleepy, a little uncomfortable around the tummy, and occasionally feel sick. Pain relief such as paracetamol is given as needed.

First 24–72 hours

Feeds and fluids are usually started through the tube on the team's advice and built up gradually. This is the key window to watch for warning signs. The nurse specialist starts your tube-care training.

First 1–2 weeks

The stoma heals, with a small amount of clear discharge being normal. Washing and showering are usually allowed once the site has settled, on the team's advice. Many children are back at nursery or school within about a week.

Weeks to first months

Daily tube and skin care becomes routine. The team reviews how your child is tolerating feeds and growing, and adjusts the feeding plan as needed.

Around the first tube change

The first PEG tube is often changed to a button or balloon device after the stoma is well established (timing varies by device and team). This is usually a simpler procedure.

What's normal — and not a worry

A small amount of clear discharge at the stoma until it heals, usually within 1–2 weeks
Some redness and tenderness around the new stoma in the first days
Mild tummy discomfort for a day or two, helped by simple pain relief
A little granulation tissue (soft red tissue) appearing at the edge of the stoma over time
Reduced appetite for food by mouth at first if your child is being fed through the tube

Aftercare

Wash your hands before and after touching the tube or stoma.
Clean around the stoma daily with warm water (and mild soap once healed), and dry it gently, following the team's instructions.
Rotate the tube as advised (often started a week or so after placement) to help prevent the internal disc becoming embedded.
Flush the tube with water before and after feeds and medicines to help stop it blocking.
Use liquid medicines where possible and check with your team or pharmacist before crushing any tablets, as some can block the tube.
Follow the dietitian's feeding plan and do not put blended food down a PEG tube unless your team has specifically agreed it, as it can block the tube.
Keep follow-up appointments and contact the team early about leakage, soreness, granulation tissue or feeding problems.

Before your procedure

Tube-care and feeding-pump training completed with the nurse specialist
Written instructions and a 24-hour contact number
Feed, syringes and spare equipment supply arranged for home
Dietitian and community nursing contacts in place
Pharmacy plan for medicines that can safely go down the tube
Clear list of warning signs and what to do for each
Follow-up appointment booked

Scars and how they heal

The stoma is a small opening rather than a surgical cut, so there is no long incision. Once a tube is no longer needed and removed, the stoma usually closes over and leaves only a small mark or dimple on the tummy. The exact appearance varies from child to child.

⚠ Get urgent help if…

Severe tummy pain, or a tummy that becomes swollen, hard or tender
Repeated vomiting, or vomiting blood
Fever or the skin around the stoma becoming hot, very red, swollen or producing pus
Fresh or heavy bleeding from the stoma or the tube
The tube falling out completely – the stoma can start to close within hours, so seek advice urgently
Feed or fluid leaking heavily around the tube, or feeds no longer being tolerated
Your child becoming drowsy, breathless or generally unwell after a feed

Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your specialist gives you.

Results & realistic expectations

A good outcome is a healed, comfortable stoma and a feeding plan that lets your child get the nutrition, fluids and medicines they need, with mealtimes feeling calmer. Many families find feeding becomes much less stressful once the routine is established.

A gastrostomy supports feeding but does not treat the condition that caused the feeding difficulty, and it does not guarantee weight gain on its own – growth still depends on your child's overall health and the feeding plan. Your team will monitor weight, hydration and tolerance and adjust the plan over time.

How long it lasts

A gastrostomy can stay in for as long as a child needs feeding support – often months or years. Tubes and button devices wear out and are replaced periodically (many last around two to three years, and balloon buttons are changed more often). If a child no longer needs tube feeding, the tube can be removed and the stoma usually closes by itself.

Related tests, treatments or support

A gastrostomy is sometimes placed at the same time as another procedure, such as an operation to reduce severe reflux (fundoplication), or alongside investigations done under the same anaesthetic. Your team will explain if anything else is planned during the same admission.

Follow-up & long-term care

Your child will be followed up by the team and dietitian to check the stoma, how feeds are tolerated and how your child is growing. A nurse specialist or community team usually supports tube care at home and helps with tube changes, granulation tissue and any practical problems. You should be able to contact them between appointments.

Daily stoma cleaning and tube flushing
Rotating the tube as advised to help prevent a buried bumper
Checking and changing the device when due (button/balloon devices are changed more often than the first PEG)
Regular dietitian review of the feeding plan and your child's growth
Keeping spare equipment and a replacement tube or device at home in case of accidental removal

Repeat, follow-on and what comes next

Tubes and buttons wear out and need replacing periodically; the first PEG is often changed to a button later.
Granulation tissue and minor leakage are common and usually managed without further surgery.
Occasionally a tube needs to be repositioned or replaced under anaesthetic if it becomes embedded (buried bumper) or displaced.
If feeding into the stomach is not tolerated, the feeding route may need to be changed.

Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.

What good aftercare looks like

Hands-on tube-care and feeding-pump training for parents and carers before discharge.
A named contact and 24-hour route to get advice about leakage, soreness, granulation tissue or a displaced tube.
A dietitian-led feeding plan with regular review of tolerance and growth.
A clear plan for who changes the tube, when, and what to do if it falls out.
Written warning signs with specific actions for each.

What affects the cost

Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:

The method used (endoscopic PEG, radiologically inserted, or surgical) and the type of device
The general anaesthetic and the hospital or theatre facility fee
Length of hospital stay, which varies with the child's health and how feeds are tolerated
Dietitian input and the cost of feed, pumps and ongoing equipment
Nurse-specialist training and community support for home tube care
Later tube or button changes and treatment of any complications such as granulation tissue

Make sure your written quote includes

The operator's (surgeon's, gastroenterologist's or radiologist's) fee and the facility fee
The general anaesthetic and anaesthetist's fee
What feed, pump and equipment are included, and what you will need to fund afterwards
Dietitian and nurse-specialist input, and who provides home support
Follow-up appointments and who arranges and pays for tube changes
What happens, and who pays, if there is a complication or the tube needs replacing
The cancellation policy

On the NHS? A gastrostomy is routinely available on the NHS when a child cannot get enough nutrition by mouth; private care may be used for speed, choice of hospital or a second opinion.

You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.

Choosing a specialist safely

Check the specialist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the specialist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.

How Vuemedics verifies every consultant →

Questions to ask your medical professional

Take this to your consultation. A good specialist will welcome every one of these.

Why is a gastrostomy being recommended for my child rather than continuing with a nasogastric tube?
Which method (PEG, RIG or surgical) is best for my child, and why?
What feeding plan will my child be on, and can they still eat or taste anything by mouth?
Who do I contact, and how, if there is a problem with the tube or the stoma?
How and when will the tube be changed, and who will do it?
What are the specific warning signs for my child, and what should I do for each?
Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
Will you be the specialist who carries out my procedure, and who looks after me afterwards?
What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
What does a realistic result look like — and what can this procedure not achieve?
What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?

Frequently asked questions

Will my child still be able to eat or taste food?

Often yes, if it is safe for them to swallow. Many children continue to taste or eat some food by mouth alongside tube feeds. Your team and a speech and language therapist can advise on what is safe for your child.

Does putting the tube in hurt?

The procedure is done under a general anaesthetic, so your child is asleep and feels nothing. Afterwards the tummy may be sore for a day or two, which is usually well controlled with simple pain relief such as paracetamol.

Is a feeding tube permanent?

Not necessarily. It is meant to stay in for as long as feeding support is needed, which may be months or years. If your child no longer needs it, it can be removed and the stoma usually closes on its own.

Can I look after the tube at home?

Yes. A nurse specialist will train you before you go home, and a community team usually supports you. Daily care – cleaning, flushing and feeding – becomes routine for most families with practice.

What should I do if the tube falls out?

Contact your team urgently, as the stoma can start to close within hours. Some teams teach carers how to put in a temporary replacement to keep the stoma open until it can be checked.

Is a gastrostomy available on the NHS?

Yes. It is routinely done on the NHS when a child cannot get enough nutrition by mouth. Some families use private care for speed, choice of hospital or a second opinion.

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How we made this page

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →

Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.

Sources & standards: Cambridge University Hospitals – PEG tubes in children Paediatric PEG safety, 11-year analysis – PMC Major complications after PEG vs laparoscopy-assisted gastrostomy in children (meta-analysis) – PMC

Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.

Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.