Percutaneous Cecostomy Tube Placement

Also known as: cecostomy tube placement.

What is percutaneous cecostomy tube placement?

A cecostomy tube is a soft catheter that’s surgically put into the large intestine. It’s used to give a patient a flushing solution, similar to an enema in a quick and easy fashion to empty the bowels.
 

What happens during the procedure?

The colon is inflated with air. Then a needle is used to make a small hole in the abdominal wall to access the bowel. Then the catheter is threaded through a hollow needle into the bowel. Then a few stitches are places to secure the tube as well as attach the bowel to the abdominal wall. An X-ray is used to properly place the catheter.
 

Is any special preparation needed?

The patient must avoid food or drink before the procedure. The patient also needs to have the bowels completely emptied through bowel prep/clean out. 
 

What are the risk factors?

Bleeding, infection, buildup of fluid or damage to the colon or surrounding structures are all possible risks of percutaneous cecostomy tube placement.

Reviewed by: Carrie Firestone Baum, MD

This page was last updated on: March 26, 2019 12:25 PM