My daughter pulled her g-tube out, she has done this before but this time I don't have a replacement button?

Question

Is it safe to put the one she took out back in? It didn't pop and there is no hole in the balloon, it just came out intact.

Answer 1

contact the pediatrician or GI doctor.  start keeping extra supplies in the home.

Answer 2

i work at a hospital and i think it's best you take her in and a doctor put it back in

Answer 3

This definitely doesn't sound like something to ask on here.  A wrong decision in this case could be very serious.  Call her doctor immediately.  There should be someone on call.  Good luck.

Answer 4

Do you have a syringe? Can you remove the fluid and place it back in, and then re-inflate?

Either way, you will have to go to the doctor to have it checked. Unless you can easily visualize the stoma and ensure it is placed correctly, they will likely have to check and ensure it is. Feeding into the gut can cause worse problems.

While you are there, please ask her doctor to teach you how to place the tube back in; and to provide you with a spare tube or a "Foley Catheter", which can be used in a pinch. The reason is that the stoma can close and seal very quickly, and would require going to OR to reopen.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Generally, yes.  But I'd make sure that the balloon will deflate and re-inflate first. I'm assuming you know how to replace the G-tube!  The GI tract is not considered "sterile", as opposed to the urinary tract.  

I know that adults have simply replaced the G-tube, if there was not a spare, but I'm not sure what the recommendations are for children.  I think it would be worth putting in a call to her GI doctor on-call and asking.  

Just to be safe.  

ETA: if you are not completely comfortable with the procedure for replacing a G-tube, I wouldn't attempt it.  Take her in to the ER instead.  But I also know that many parents/caregivers are instructed on G-tube replacement and frequently do it in the home.