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 for a few minutes with soap and water.
• Remove any dressings or bandages on the skin. Place them in the plastic bag, and throw them away.
• Check the skin for redness, odor, pain, puss, or swelling. Make sure the stitches are still in place.
• Apply soap and warm water to a washcloth, or dip the Q-tip in half strength hydrogen peroxide (1 tsp. hydrogen peroxide and 1 tsp. water) or other ointment that your provider recommends.
• Gently wash the skin all around the tube with the washcloth or Q-tip. 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 your tube and tape it securely to your abdomen.

Usually, split gauze strips are slipped over the tube and taped down on all four sides. Tape the tube down as well.

Avoid using creams, powders, or sprays near the site unless your child’s doctor tells you to.

Flushing the J-tube

To flush the J-tube, 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

Call your child’s doctor or nurse if:

• The tube is pulled out
• There is redness, swelling, smell, puss (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
• Your child is vomiting
• Your child’s stomach is bloated

Alternate Names

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

Update Date: 11/11/2012

Updated by: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital; and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.