A Prospective, Randomized Cross‐over Trial of 2 Low‐profile Gastrostomy Buttons to Determine Family Preference

Low‐profile gastrostomy balloon buttons are often used in the pediatric population. We conducted a prospective, randomized crossover trial to determine family preference comparing MIC‐KEY (tube A) and MiniONE (tube B) buttons. Patients were randomized to tube A and tube B at placement. At 2 months, patients were given the opposite button. At 4 months, parents indicated their preferred button. A standardized assessment tool was used to assess gastrostomy site skin complications and device malfunction. One hundred fifty‐eight patients were randomized, 79 each to receive tube A or tube B first. Sixty‐eight with tube A and 60 with tube B completed their first follow‐up. Sixty‐five with tube A and 43 with tube B completed crossover, 69% of whom preferred tube B ( P < 0.001). Including those who preferred their first button and declined to switch at 2 months, 91 of 127 (72%) kept tube B, demonstrating a strong preference for tube B.