A jejunostomy tube (J-tube) is a medical feeding tube surgically or endoscopically placed directly into the jejunum, which is the middle section of the small intestine. This allows individuals who cannot digest food through their stomach to receive fluids, nutrition, and medications safely.
Because the small intestine is sensitive and cannot hold large volumes of food at once, living with a J-tube requires unique daily routines, specialized pump feeding, and careful site maintenance. 🩺 J-Tube Placement Techniques
A J-tube can be inserted using a few different medical approaches depending on a patient’s surgical history and anatomical needs:
Laparoscopic or Open Surgery: The surgeon creates a small incision in the abdomen, pulls a loop of the small intestine to the abdominal wall, and secures the tube using specialized suturing, such as the Witzel technique.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Jejunostomy (PEJ): A minimally invasive method where a physician uses an endoscope (a lighted camera passed down the throat) to guide the tube directly through the abdominal wall into the small bowel. 🧼 Daily Stoma Care & Site Maintenance
Proper care of the stoma (the skin opening where the tube exits) is critical to preventing skin breakdown and bacterial infection. Jejunostomy (J) Tube – URMC.Rochester.edu
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