Clinical Trial of Gastrostomy Button Securement Device

Gastrostomy button (G-button) is a small tube inserted into the stomach that is used to feed and provide medication to children who can not eat or take medication on their own. G-buttons are commonly placed through surgery. While G-buttons give access for caregivers to provide adequate nutrition, they also can have complications associated with them; including, but not limited to leakage, skin irritation or infection, and dislodgement. These complications can be a big burden for caregivers and medical providers causing extra clinic, ED visits, and increased cost. The investigators have designed a securement device for the gastrostomy button and want to compare the device to the standard securement method, which is tape and gauze dressing. The investigators believe that they will show a significant reduction in the complications listed above. The investigators plan to randomized 200 patients to either the new securement device (treatment group) or the standard dressing (control group). The investigators plan to get feedback from caregivers at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The G-button securement device that is a Class II, 510(k) exempt medical device, subject to General Controls under Product Code PLI, regulated by 21 CFR 876.5980.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged 31 days to 18 years old who present for surgical placement of a gastrostomy button (open, endoscopically, or laparoscopically).
• Patient weight is ≥ 4kg.

Exclusion criteria

• Refusal who object at any time to participate in the study
• Those whose parents or legal guardians cannot be reached by telephone
• Prisoners
• Pregnant women
• Impaired decision making capacity
• Any patient with a pre-existing G-button who presents to the G-button or surgery clinic for G-button replacement or have complications associated with the G-button at any of study site locations.