Consensus on gastrostomies in pediatrics: a multidisciplinary approach.

Abstract

Gastrostomy (GTT) is a procedure that surgically or endoscopically connects the stomach to the outside of the abdomen, providing a long-term enteral feeding route. It is an essential nutritional alternative for children and adolescents with oral feeding difficulties, as it significantly improves their physical, psychological, and social quality of life, as well as that of their caregivers. This consensus has several key objectives: to identify children and adolescents who are candidates for this intervention, to describe the different types of procedures, to unify diagnostic criteria, to promote rational use of resources, to detail associated complications, to improve the quality of life of patients and their families and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. To achieve this, a comprehensive review of the scientific literature was conducted, selecting the best available evidence to develop practical recommendations specific to pediatricians and adaptable to the local context.