title: Indications, complications, and long-term results of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a retrospective study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the indications, success rate, procedure related complications, duration of tube feeding and long-term outcome in 35 consecutive patients in whom we attempted a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). All procedures were performed in a small University affiliated VA Medical Center Between July 1988 and June 1991 by the same team. Follow-up continued until death or October 1992. The most common indications for PEG were neurologic disorders (n = 30, 90%). PEG was successfully placed in 32 (91%) of the 35 patients. There was no procedure related mortality. Complications occurred in 43% of patients, most of which were minor (97%). In seven patients (22%), tubes were removed as eating was resumed. Two patients died within 30 days of tube placement. Most of the deaths occurred between one and six months (40%) after tube placement. Pneumonia was the most common cause of death and was attributed to aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions. Our experience suggests that PEG is safe and has a low complication rate, even in patients with multiple medical problems.
authors.affiliation: USD School of Medicine, Sioux Falls.
authors.forename: U R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Ganga
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Schafer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors