title: Use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes in burn patients.
abstract: Alimentation and decompression are imperative to the successful management of the severely burned patient. Utilization of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes for these purposes has become a proven effective procedure in non-burned patients with few major complications. We retrospectively reviewed placement of PEG tubes in 31 burn patients, some of whom had been admitted with additional diagnoses such as inhalation injury and/or dysphagia. In 90% of our burn patients, the use of PEG tubes was without complication. The placement of PEG tubes through burn wound areas or donor sites added no increase in wound complications. In summary, there was no mortality referable to the use of PEG tubes, there were no major operative or wound complications, and feedings were tolerated well. This study reports on the use of PEG tubes in a regional Burn Treatment Center. It shows that PEG tubes offer safe and effective alimentation and decompression in the management of burned patients.
authors.affiliation: Nathan Speare Regional Burn Treatment Center, Department of Surgery, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA 19013.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Haith
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Germain
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Raymond
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005773:Gastroscopy; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015208:Smoke Inhalation Injury / Q000628:therapy; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors