Radiologically Inserted Gastrostomy (RIG)
Introduction
A radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG) is a technique where a small plastic tube is placed through the skin into your stomach. Once in place, the tube can be used to give you liquid food directly into your stomach to provide you with nutrition.
Gastrostomy means making a small opening into your stomach and radiologically means it is done under X-ray guidance.
Benefits and risks
Following this procedure you will be able to feed your body through this tube. A RIG provides you with a more comfortable and long-term solution with a larger tube that is unlikely to get blocked.
Because a RIG goes into your stomach, it is unseen under your clothes.
Occasionally we may not be able to place the RIG in your stomach. This may be if you have not eaten for a long time and your stomach has shrunk, or if you have had an operation that has removed part of your stomach. If this happens you may need an operation to place the feeding tube.
Day of the procedure
Before the procedure
You must not have any food and drink for six hours before your procedure. You may need to have a blood test to check how well your blood will clot to minimise any risk of bleeding.
You will need to change into gown and then you will be brought to the X-ray department on your bed. In the X-ray department you will be seen by a doctor, who will discuss the procedure with you before you sign a consent form.
Please ask any questions you may have as it is important that you understand what is going to happen.
During the procedure
In the procedure room you will lie on a special X-ray table. You may be given some strong pain relief and sedation through a needle in your arm if you feel any discomfort.
If you don’t already have a tube through your nose, one will be inserted so air can be placed in your stomach to make room for the RIG. Your abdomen will be cleaned (above your tummy button to the left) with antiseptic fluid and you will be covered with a sterile sheet.
The doctor will give you an injection of local anaesthetic which will cause some stinging initially and then go numb. Throughout the procedure a nurse will be with you who will monitor your pulse and blood pressure and might give you some oxygen.
The doctor will use X-ray to decide on the most suitable point for inserting a needle. The doctor will insert a fine wire through the needle then use this wire to guide the tube into your stomach.
The tube will then be fixed to your skin surface with a dressing placed over the top of it. We will explain what is happening throughout the procedure. The procedure usually takes approximately 45 minutes but may take longer.
After the procedure
You will go back to the ward where your nurse will record your pulse and blood pressure as well as check your RIG regularly. You will stay in bed for a couple of hours until you have recovered.
If you feel unwell at any time, please tell your nurse. You will not be able to eat or drink or have anything through the tube for six hours. Your nurse will give you fluid through the needle in your arm to make sure that you stay hydrated.
If you are going home with the RIG, you will need to learn how to look after it. The nurses on the ward will teach you how to clean the insertion site and show you to administer the special feed that the dietician has decided is the best for you. The nurses will also teach you how to take medications and how to flush the RIG regularly with water to stop it from blocking.
Contact information
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
Interventional Radiology Department
1st Floor, Lift Bank D
T: 020 3315 8570/8582