Alex wants me to ask a question. He has noticed a clear fluid which sometimes trickles from the site where his PEG was removed.

The PEG has been gone for 12 months and he has a rather deep dimple at the site. He has complained a number of times about a clear fluid which is not smelly or otherwise scary that sometimes leaks out of the dimple.

When he first mentioned it, I thought it was water that got trapped when he showered or sweat that collected through the night but Alex doesn't think so. We now know for sure it is not trapped water from the shower as he has been very careful in drying the area and it happens anyway. He complains it is enough leakage to seep through his T-shirt and leave a 20c size mark. We are just coming to the end of winter and Alex doesn't think it is sweat either.

It is obviously not anything to do with leaking stomach contents which would stink to high heaven and the scar appears closed and clean.

Any ideas?

I've taken a break from the boards because my husband is doing well -- it will be 4 years post-tx this September!

My husband had a granuloma at the PEG site with clear drainage. It started 3 months after insertion and continued after removal. In his case, there was a small area that looked like an ulceration (no infection). It doesn't sound like you are describing an open area, so not sure if this applies. Surprisingly, GI office was no help.

PCP sent him to a general surgeon, who immediately diagnosed a granuloma. Two silver nitrate treatments and it never returned. I don't understand why GI were perplexed about this because this surgeon said it's very common with long term PEG use and that they see it often in life long PEG dependent children.

Hhhm... Good answer - I was going to suggest possible small infection. I suppose either could be a possibility - definitely have it looked at

Klo

At this point, trying a silver nitrate stick sounds like the way to go. Before I got my low profile or button PEG, I had lots of granulation tissue and weeping. My ENT gave me a script for silver nitrate and I just applied it myself but for this time, I'd recommend seeing a doctor or nurse to do it.
sorry to hear about this
Charm

What you have described is very common for most long term peg users. Its normally not an infection. I deal with it from time to time also. I also have a little leakage around the site so I always wear whats called a drain sponge.. This soaks up any leakage and helps to pad the area so its more comfortable. The granulation can happen from lifting anything too heavy. I find whenever I overdo it, I will pay for it and get the granulation. Sometimes it can be very painful. Check with the gastro doc for help with the silver nitrate sticks.

Thanks guys
this all makes sense. Alex has just returned to work after two and a half years (yeay) and his physical activity has changed and increased. Hadn't thought of the impact this might have. Silver nitrate it is.

Karen, I actually use a little silver nitrate cream on my skin around the site everyday. After I shower, I dab a tiny bit of the cream and then use a drain sponge which I tape so it doesnt fall off. The drain sponges I use are just a 4" x 4" piece of 4 layer gauze that has a slit half way thru it. You can also get them in 2" x 2".