Complications of Gastrostomy and Gastrojejunostomy: The Prevalence in Children

PURPOSE: This study aimed to provide an overview of the prevalence of the complications of a gastrostomy or a gastrojejunostomy with a low-profile gastric tube in children. The study also examined the effect of presence of the gastrostomy tube on the prevalence of complications. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, parents were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Children aged 0–16 years with a low-profile gastrostomy or gastrojejunostomy tube were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 67 complete surveys were conducted. The mean age of the included children was seven years. The most common complications during the past week, were skin irritation (35.8%), abdominal pain (34.3%), and the formation of granulation tissue (29.9%). The most common complications during the past six months were skin irritation (47.8%), vomiting (43.4%), and abdominal pain (38.8%). Most complications occurred within the first year after gastrojejunostomy placement and gradually decreased as the duration since the placement of the gastrojejunostomy tube increased. The prevalence of severe complications was rare. Parental confidence in caring for the gastrostomy positively correlated with increases in the duration of the gastrostomy tube. Even so, parental confidence in the care of the gastrostomy tube was reduced in some parents more than a year after its placement. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of gastrojejunostomy complications in children is relatively high. The incidences of severe complications after the placement of a gastrojejunostomy tube were rare in this study. A lack of confidence in the care of the gastrostomy tube was noted in some parents more than a year after its placement.