Percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy tube placement in patients with head and neck cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To study the safety and efficacy of percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy tube placement in patients with head and neck cancer.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective case review of 92 consecutive cases. Comparable access procedures and relevant literature were reviewed.


METHODS
Academic tertiary care center.


METHODS
Patients with head and neck cancer who underwent percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy tube placement between January 1996 and July 1996.


METHODS
Immediate, delayed, and long-term complications; tube malfunction; and tube placement failure.


RESULTS
The major complication rate was 1%; the minor complication rate was 8%; and the tube malfunction rate was 13%. The rate of successful tube placement was 98%. None of the patients required hospitalization as a result of the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy tube placement is a safe, economical, and comfortable method that has distinct advantages over other gastrostomy tube placement methods. It is recommended for enteral feeding and nutritional supplementation in patients with head and neck cancer.
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
M E
ME
Beaver
J N
JN
Myers
L
L
Griffenberg
K
K
Waugh
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D003973:Diatrizoate; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D003287:Contrast Media; D003973:Diatrizoate