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Gastrostomy tubes are inserted for various reasons. They may be needed temporarily or permanently.
Gastrostomy tube insertion may be recommended for:
Birth defects of the mouth, esophagus, or stomach (esophageal atresia or tracheal esophageal fistula)
Problems with sucking and/or swallowing, for example in patients debilitated by stroke or dementia
Review Date 4/11/2026
Updated by: Ann M. Rogers, MD, FACS, Professor Emeritus, Department of Surgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
