Once the cecostomy tube has been put in, your child will stay in the hospital until the next day for observation. This will help lower the risk for complications.
Your child may also need a contrast study. This test makes sure that the catheter is placed properly. For the test the healthcare provider injects contrast dye through the tube and into the cecum. Then the provider uses an X-ray to look at the dye to make sure that it travels into the cecum.
Putting the cecostomy tube in place is just the first step in easing fecal incontinence. After about a week, you will give your child an enema through the cecostomy tube at home, with guidance from your child’s healthcare provider. This process will involve putting liquid into the cecostomy tube. This liquid will pass into the cecum to encourage a bowel movement. Your child’s healthcare provider will tell you how often this will need to be done.
Tell your child’s healthcare provider if your child has any of the following:
- A noticeable skin infection at the catheter site
- Bleeding or swelling at the site
- Pus leaking from the site
- The tube becomes dislodged or moves
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
Your child will likely need to have the catheter removed and replaced from time to time. It will have to be done for hygiene reasons and to lower the risk for complications.