Care for the Gastrostomy Stoma Site

Immediate care after insertion of gastrostomy

The formation of a stoma will normally take up to 8-12 weeks (or longer in patients with poor wound healing). During this time extra care should be taken with cleaning. The external fixation plate should not be moved or loosened unless necessary and you should avoid immersing it in water (i.e. swimming and bathing) but having a shower is fine. The feed should be disconnected and flushed, the ends of the gastrostomy tube closed before showering and then dried thoroughly afterwards. A loose non-lint gauze dressing may be required during this period if the stoma site is weeping or infected.

After two weeks

After two weeks the position of the external fixation device should be checked daily to ensure the gastrostomy is secured in the correct position (monitor the length of the external tube). Ensure that the external fixation plate is not too tight against the abdominal wall as this can promote skin breakdown and tissue over granulation. If the external fixation device is too slack, the gastrostomy tube could migrate into the stomach and cause leakage of gastric contents and increase the risk of over-granulation.

Once the stoma site has healed and a tract formed, dressings should not be required. This can take up to 8 - 12 weeks.

On-going care

The stoma site needs to be kept clean to avoid the development of infections. All suspected infections should be investigated and treated at the earliest.

Always wash hands with soap and dry them before attaching feed, flushing and cleaning the feeding tube
Check the skin around the stoma site for redness, soreness, irritation or swelling daily
Check daily for stoma leakage and tube displacement.

All minor problems should be treated to prevent the development of infection
Fresh water and mild soap should be adequate to keep the stoma clean. Clean using circular movements moving out from the stoma site. Also clean the skin under the fixation plate
Dry the stoma site after cleaning, with a lint-free cloth or paper towel and leave to air dry fully
Do not use talcum powders. Use creams sparingly around the stoma site.
Ensure all caps are closed during bathing and cleaning
You can also refer to the manufacturer's instructions on caring for a particular tube.

If you would like this information in another format, for example large print or easy read, or if you need help communicating with us, please contact:

First Community (Head Office)

Call: 01737 775450 Email: fchc.enquiries@nhs.net Text: 07814 639034

Address: First Community Health and Care, Consort House, 5-7 Queensway, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1YB.