This leaflet contains important advice about your gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube exchange. It contains information about what to expect when you come for your procedure and what the procedure will involve.
What type of tube do I have?
There are two types of gastrostomy/jejunostomy tubes; balloon retained tubes and non-balloon retained tubes.
Balloon retained tubes are held in place by a balloon, which contains sterile water. This water needs to be changed weekly to maintain the integrity of the balloon.
A non-balloon retained tube is held in place by a disc or flange.
Why do I need a gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube exchange?
Your feeding tube needs to be replaced regularly to ensure the tube remains functional.
A gastrostomy tube sits within the stomach; therefore, the balloon can be degraded over time by stomach juices; they advise your balloon gastrostomy tube is replaced every 3-6 months.
A jejunostomy tube sits within your small bowel; where there are less juices to degrade the balloon. They advise your balloon jejunostomy tube is replaced every 6 months.
A non-balloon retained tube should be changed when signs of damage appear; this can differ from patient to patient.
What does a gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube exchange involve?
An exchange procedure is non-surgical and takes between 10 and 20 minutes. Your current tube is checked with Xray dye to confirm it is in the correct place.
The exchange aspect will differ depending on what type of tube you have.
Balloon retained tube – Once the tube is checked, the water is removed from the balloon. A wire is placed down the tube and into your stomach or bowel; this is maintaining access throughout the exchange. Your old tube is then removed over the wire and a new tube is placed. The wire is removed, and water is placed in the balloon. The new tube is checked with Xray dye to confirm position.
Non-balloon retained tube – Once the tube is checked, the tube is pulled out. The disc holding the tube in place is flexible, making the tube removable under traction. Once removed, the new tube is placed down the open tract. The new tube is checked with Xray dye to confirm position.
What are the risks?
Complications of a gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube exchange that may require an urgent operation are uncommon.
Occasionally there may be some bleeding around the stoma site when the tube is removed and replaced; this is quite normal.
There is a small risk that once the tube is removed, a new tube is not able to be placed without stretching the stoma.
An operation may be required if there is damage to the bowel during the exchange.
Make sure you are satisfied that you have received enough information about the procedure beforehand.
Preparation – Admission
Depending on what tube type you have and what tube type it will be replaced for will decide the procedure preparation. If you have a balloon retained tube which will be changed for the same type and size tube; your procedure can be completed as an outpatient appointment; and you can go straight home after if there are no complications.
If you have a non-balloon retained tube, your tube is going to be upsized to a bigger tube or you are changing from one type of tube to another; you will need to be admitted to the day surgery unit on the day of your procedure. This is usually precautionary; and if the procedure has no complications, you will be able to go home about 1 hour after the procedure.
If you have been admitted for your procedure; please ensure you have somebody to take you home and stay with you overnight.
Will it hurt?
We will use local anaesthetic jelly to reduce the pain felt during the tube exchange; however, this does not fully numb the area. If you are known to have a tight stoma tract; please let the team know in advance so we can consider alternative pain management.
Will I need to fast for my procedure?
Yes, you will need to be nil by mouth and feeding tube for 6 hours before your procedure.
How will I be prepared?
If you are admitted on the day (see preparation section), a member of staff will measure your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown; this is to avoid staining your personal clothes during the procedure.
After the procedure
If your procedure is completed as an outpatient appointment (see preparation section), you can go straight home after the procedure if there were no complications. If you have been admitted for your procedure (see preparation section), you will return to the day surgery unit and observed by ward staff for up to an hour before discharge if there are no complications.
What if I cannot attend my appointment?
If you have any queries about your appointment or cannot attend, then please telephone the booking office:
Salford Royal Hospital - 0161 204 2044/2404 (Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.00pm)
Royal Oldham Hospital - 0161 656 1178 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.00pm)
You can also email booking.radiology@nca.nhs.uk (Salford Royal Hospital) or ir.bookingsOldham@nca.nhs.uk (Royal Oldham Hospital).
Please include name, date of birth, address and hospital number (if known) in any correspondence.
Interpreters
If you need an interpreter for your examination and/or procedure (either verbal, non-English language or non-verbal, e.g., British Sign Language, Makaton etc.), please call the department so that we can try to arrange this.
I need an ambulance; how do I arrange this?
If you need an ambulance there are contact details on your appointment letter. Please inform the department, using the contact details in this leaflet, if you are arriving by ambulance.
Contact Details
We hope your questions have been answered by this leaflet.
If you require help or any other information regarding your appointment you can contact:
The Angiography Department, Salford Royal Hospital
Tel: 0161 206 2206/5091
Interventional Radiology, Royal Oldham Hospital
Tel: 0161 778 5314/5414
Other Sources of Information
Your questions should have been answered by this leaflet but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion about your treatment with the doctors looking after you. Make sure you are satisfied that you have received enough information about the procedure before you sign the consent form.
If you require further information regarding the examination can be found on the internet.
Websites
For general information about radiology departments, visit The Royal College of Radiologists’ website:
www.goingfora.com
www.rcr.ac.uk
Date of Review: July 2025
Date of Next Review: July 2027
Ref No: PI_DP_2093 (NCA)