In palliative GI obstruction, which intervention may be used to alleviate the need to vomit frequently?

• A. G-tube
• B. Nasogastric tube
• C. Surgical bypass
• D. Antibiotics

Answer: (A)

Relieving distress from a gastric outlet obstruction in a palliative setting relies on providing durable gastric decompression to reduce distension and nausea. A gastrostomy tube offers a venting route from the stomach that can stay in place long-term, giving ongoing relief from vomiting without the discomfort and frequent repositioning of a tube that must be placed anew or removed. This approach aligns with goals of comfort and quality of life in palliative care, offering practical decompression with less invasiveness than surgery. A nasogastric tube can relieve symptoms temporarily but is burdensome for long-term use; a surgical bypass, while potentially effective, is more invasive and may not be appropriate for palliative goals; antibiotics do not address the mechanical obstruction or vomiting.