How to care for granulation tissue around feeding tube

How to care for granulation tissue around feeding tube

Why does granulation tissue occur? Granulation tissue is a type of scar tissue that may form around a feeding tube. This red, raised tissue is the body’s reaction to the tube and is very common in some children.

How to treat granulation tissue around feeding tube? 

A Silver nitrate stick can help remove granulation tissue. When touched by the silver nitrate stick, the granulation tissue turns grey or black, then becomes crusty and falls off. 

Equipment 

• Vaseline
• Silver Nitrate Stick 
• Gauze or Washcloth and towel to clean and dry the site 
• Cotton tipped applicators 
• Gauze with a keyhole cut out (or trach/drain gauze) to place around the site after application 

Paper Tape Procedure

• Keep the site as clean and dry as possible. 
• For Silver Nitrate application – the following steps are done once a day for five days: Put a layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the healthy skin around the granulation tissue before using the silver nitrate stick – the silver nitrate will injure the healthy skin. 
• Moisten the tip of the silver nitrate stick with water. 
• Touch the silver nitrate stick onto the granulation tissue – red, raised skin.
• Protect clothing from being stained by the silver nitrate (will turn black) by putting a small gauze with a keyhold cut out over the area and taping it. If there is no improvement in five to seven days, call the nurse or doctor.

If you have any questions, please call Canuck Place: 604-742-3475

If you have any feedback to help us improve this document, please email APN@canuckplace.org