Site Map

Jejunostomy feeding tube

Feeding - jejunostomy tube; G-J tube; J-tube; Jejunum tube

Images

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 the person is healthy enough to eat by mouth.

You'll need to know how to care for the J-tube and the skin where the tube enters the body.

Follow any specific instructions your health care provider or nurse gives you. Use the information below as a reminder of what to do.

What to Expect at Home

It is important to take good care of the skin around the tube to avoid getting an infection or skin irritation.

You will also learn how to change the dressing around the tube every day.

Make sure you keep the tube protected by taping it to the skin.

Your nurse may replace the 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
• Dry, clean towel
• Plastic bag
• Ointment or hydrogen peroxide (if your doctor recommends)
• 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 the skin. Place them in the plastic bag and throw the bag away.
• Check the 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 the nurse says it is OK.

Flushing the J-tube

To flush the J-tube, follow the instructions your nurse gave you. You will use the syringe to slowly push warm water into the side opening of the J-port.

You may rinse, dry, and reuse the syringe later.

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, smell, 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

Related Information

Cystic fibrosis
Esophageal cancer
HIV/AIDS
Cerebral palsy
Failure to thrive
Swallowing problems
Multiple sclerosis - discharge
Stroke - discharge
Crohn disease - discharge
Pancreatitis - discharge
Ulcerative colitis - discharge
Esophagectomy - discharge

References

Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Gonzalez L, Aebersold M. Nutritional management and enteral intubation. In: Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Gonzalez L, Aebersold M, eds. Clinical Nursing Skills: Basic to Advanced Skills. 9th ed. New York, NY: Pearson; 2017:chap 16.

Ziegler TR. Malnutrition: assessment and support. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 204.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 11/3/2022  

Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Health Content Provider 06/01/2025

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.