GASTROJEJUNOSTOMY
What is a Gastrojejunostomy?
A gastrojejunostomy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a long catheter-like tube (called a gastrojejunostomy tube) is inserted through your abdomen and into your small intestine. The tube provides nutritional support to patients who are unable to eat and are unsuitable for a gastrostomy tube due to a blockage preventing food from passing from the stomach into the small intestine, severe paralysis of part of the stomach or a high risk of choking.
How does the procedure work?
If you are on any medication which prevents blood clotting, you will stop taking it before the procedure, if possible.
You should not eat anything before the procedure. The interventional radiologist will insert a tube in your nose which will go into your stomach (called a nasogastric tube) and then will perform an ultrasound of your stomach to check the position of your liver and confirm that the tube is correctly placed.
Benefits of IR guided procedures
111. Rapid relief from symptoms.
112. The imaging techniques allow accurate diagnosis and treatment using cutting-edge equipment. Diagnosis is reconfirmed during procedure.
113. Minimally invasive procedures are performed through a small hole in the skin, minimising the patient’s discomfort and recovery time. There won’t be any scar.
114. Most procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis or require only a short hospital stay. As interventional procedures tend to require only local anaesthesia, hospital stays are very short, with patients frequently going home the day the procedure is performed.
115. Patients who undergo IR procedures experience less pain during and after the procedure than patients undergoing surgical procedures. Post-procedural care is provided, along with follow-up imaging to confirm if the treatment has been successful.
116. Minimal damage to surrounding vital anatomical structures with no significant structural weakness.
117. No or negligible blood loss. No requirement of blood transfusion.
118. Return to work and other normal activities usually within the first few days after the procedure.
119. Low risk compared to surgery. The techniques can be used in very sick patients who are unfit for surgery.
120. Overall procedure is less expensive than surgery or other alternatives.
How will you prepare for procedure:
Procedure will be done as a day case procedure, only rarely would you need to stay overnight.
• You will have had some blood tests performed before the procedure to check that you do not have an increased risk of bleeding.
• You are asked not to eat for 4 hours prior to the procedure. You may drink a little water.
• You will need someone to drive you home and to look after you for 24 hours.
• You should be prepared to stay overnight if necessary.
• If you have any allergies or you have previously reacted to intravenous contrast medium, you must let the doctor know. Intravenous contrast medium is the injection we give you during some scans.
• If you are diabetic, please contact IR coordinator at 0328 0177770 for further information
• If you normally take any medication to thin your blood (anticoagulation or antiplatelet drugs) such as: warfarin / clopidogrel / aspirin, dabigatran (Pradaxa) / rivaroxiban (Xarelto) / Apixaban (Eliquis) / phendione / acenocoumarol – then these may need to be stopped or altered. Please contact the contact IR coordinator at 0328 0177770 for further information
How long will it take?
Every case is different, and it is difficult to predict exact time it will take. Procedure will be carried out in image guidance and roughly takes an hour or so.
What Happens afterwards?
You will be observed in a post operative facility for 2 to 4 hrs and if all observations are satisfactory, you will be discharged home the same day. It is natural to feel tired after the procedure and a light bed rest for a couple of days is recommended.
