Gastrostomy, or G-tube, allows for tube feedings into the stomach through the abdominal wall.

Blog post from MLD Foundation showing how to change a g-tube (pictures)

As patients develop difficulty with swallowing, food may need to be softened or thickened, and eventually, parents will need to consider placement of a gastrostomy tube (g-tube, feeding tube).

A gastric feeding tube (G-tube or "button") is a tube inserted through a small incision in the abdomen into the stomach and is used for long-term enteral nutrition.

The G-tube can be useful where there is difficulty with swallowing because of neurologic or anatomic disorders (stroke, esophageal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula), and to avoid the risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Many patients receiving artificial nutrition and hydration by NG or G-tube have brain disease and are unable to report that they feel full or unwell, so abdominal bloating, cramps, or diarrhea may occur.

A G-tube may instead be used for gastric drainage as a longer term solution to the condition where blockage in the upper reaches of the small intestine causes bile and acid to accumulate in the stomach, typically leading to periodic vomiting.