glossary

gastrostomy

Definition gastrostomy

gastrostomy

gastrostomy n. a surgical operation in which the stomach is brought through the abdominal wall and an opening made into it. It is usually performed to allow food and fluid to be poured directly into the stomach when swallowing is impossible because of disease or obstruction of the oesophagus. Sometimes it is used temporarily after operations on the oesophagus, until healing has occured.