[Handling of a gastrostomy. The experience of an at home support team]

When it is necessary to apply prolonged nutritional support in a patient, the permanent intestinal ways are the preferred choice. In spite of this, its use yields varied results, especially in at home care cases. The objective of this study is to describe the experience an at home support team had attending to non-cancer patients who had undergone a gastrostomy The patient profile is an elderly patient having a neurological pathology and a high degree of dependence. Generally gastrostomies are used to administer polymeric diets with fiber The most frequent complications are related to the deterioration of the catheter which necessitates it being replaced, followed by light character peristomas; among the digestive complications, constipation stands out and, although not very frequently digestive bleeding due to bedsores. The handling of a gastrostomy should be taken on by personnel who treat the patient at home. Therefore it is necessary to educate and train the caretakers how to use one as part of an individualized treatment plan.