JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
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JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr · Jul 2010
Tract disruption and external displacement following gastrostomy tube exchange in adults.
Anecdotal reports, mostly in children, indicate that disruption of the gastrostomy tract may occur during gastrostomy tube exchange and cause serious complications. The aim of our study was to determine the rate of tract disruption occurring in adults requiring long-term enteral nutrition who had an original gastrostomy tube replaced and to evaluate factors contributing to this complication. ⋯ Tract disruption occurs infrequently during replacement of gastrostomy tubes and appears to be an issue primarily during the initial tube exchange when using a skin-level device.