Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). 8 years of clinical experience in 232 patients.
BACKGROUND
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is now a standard method for providing long-term enteral nutrition in patients who are unable to swallow. The aim of our study was to document clinical data that would allow prediction of a possible complicated clinical course.


METHODS
The study was carried out retrospectively. Clinical data of patients having received a PEG tube by a single endoscopic technique were analyzed.


RESULTS
Some 5. 17% of 232 patients showed complications requiring surgery including a mortality rate of 0.43%. Patients with complications had a significantly lower body mass index and there was a significantly higher complication rate in patients having obstructive malignancies compared with benign diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
Low body mass index and advanced malignancies are predictors for complications after PEG application. Early installation should help prevent further nutritional deterioration and the related risk of complications.
Amann
W
W
Department of Surgery, University Hospital Graz, Karl Franzens Universität, Auenbruggerplatz 15, A-8036 Graz, Austria.
Mischinger
H J
HJ
Berger
A
A
Rosanelli
G
G
Schweiger
W
W
Werkgartner
G
G
Fruhwirth
J
J
Hauser
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012307:Risk Factors