Preplacement Marking for Optimal Gastrostomy and Jejunostomy Tube Site Locations to Decrease Complications and Promote Self-Care

Placement of surgical and percutaneous gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes for enteral feeding is routinely done with the patient in a supine position. This may result in a tube exit site located in an abdominal fold or the belt line, near a bony prominence, or beneath a pendulous breast. Poor location can cause discomfort, skin irritation, leakage, and difficulty in stabilizing the tube. A tube exit site that is not easily visibile to the patient can limit resumption of self-care and independence. Two methods of preplacement marking for feeding tube locations are described. Selecting optimal gastrostomy and jejunostomy tube sites decreases complications and promotes patient independence.