Jejunostomy feeding tube
Description
A jejunostomy tube (J-tube) is a soft, plastic tube placed through the skin of the abdomen into the midsection of the small intestine. The tube delivers food and medicine until you are healthy enough to eat by mouth.
You'll need to know how to care for the J-tube and your skin where the tube enters your body.
Follow any specific instructions your health care provider or nurse gives you. Use the information below as a reminder of what to do.
Alternative Names
Feeding - jejunostomy tube; G-J tube; J-tube; Jejunum tube; PEJ tube
What to Expect at Home
It is important to take good care of your skin around the tube to avoid getting an infection or skin irritation.
You will also learn how to change the dressing around your tube. After the area heals, if the tube is not leaking you may not need to put a dressing around it every day.
Make sure you keep the tube protected by taping it to the skin.
Your nurse may replace your tube every now and then.
Cleaning the Skin Around the J-tube
To clean the skin, you will need to change the bandages once a day or more if the area becomes wet or dirty.
The skin area should always be kept clean and dry. You will need:
- Warm soapy water and a washcloth
- A dry, clean towel
- A plastic bag
- Ointment or hydrogen peroxide (only if your provider recommends it)
- Q-tips
Follow these guidelines every day for good health and skin care:
- Wash your hands well for a few minutes with soap and water.
- Remove any dressings or bandages on your skin. Place them in the plastic bag and throw the bag away.
- Check your skin for redness, odor, pain, puss, or swelling. Make sure the stitches are still in place.
- Use the clean towel or Q-tip to clean the skin around the J-tube 1 to 3 times a day with mild soap and water. Try to remove any drainage or crusting on the skin and tube. Be gentle. Dry the skin well with a clean towel.
- If there is drainage, place a small piece of gauze under the disc around the tube.
- Do not rotate the tube. This may cause it to become blocked.
Replacing the Dressings Around the Tube
You will need:
- Gauze pads, dressings, or bandages
- Tape
Your nurse will show you how to place the new bandages or gauze around the tube and tape it securely to the abdomen.
Usually, split gauze strips are slipped over the tube and taped down on all four sides. Tape the tube down as well.
Do not use creams, powders, or sprays near the site unless your provider or nurse says it is OK.
Flushing the J-tube
To flush the J-tube, follow the instructions your provider or nurse gave you. You will use the syringe to slowly push warm water into the side opening of the J-port. It's extremely important to flush the tube at the end of a feeding or after receiving medicine. This will help keep the tube from clogging.
You may rinse, dry, and reuse the syringe later.
You will be taught ways to try to unclog the tube if needed.
When to Call the Doctor
Contact your provider right away if any of the following occur:
- The tube is pulled out.
- There is redness, swelling, an odor, or pus (unusual color) at the tube site.
- There is bleeding around the tube.
- The stitches are coming out.
- There is leaking around the tube.
- Skin or scarring is growing around the tube.
- Vomiting.
- Stomach is bloated.
- The tube is clogged and you cannot gently and safely unclog it.
References
Brown LB, Gearhart SL. Gastrointestinal tubes for feeding and decompression. In: Camerson JL, Camerson AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:119-123.
Cederholm TE, Bosaeus IG. Malnutrition: assessment and support. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 198.
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Gastroenterologist, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
