title: Decompressive percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in nonmalignant disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is the standard for long-term enteral access. It can provide enteral nutrition or gastrointestinal decompression. Utilization of the gastrostomy for decompression has traditionally been reported in the setting of malignant obstruction. However, decompressive gastrostomy can play a role in the treatment of nonmalignant bowel dysfunction as well.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 2-year period, 20 of 121 percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies attempted by this surgical endoscopist were for gastrointestinal decompression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven of 18 gastrostomies successfully placed for decompression were for benign conditions. In 5 patients with fistulous disease, the purpose of decompression was to divert the gastrointestinal tract until operative repair. Four of these patients have since undergone definitive surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This series presents the successful use of the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for decompression of nonmalignant conditions. In such scenarios, the drainage gastrostomy can be employed as a bridge to future surgery, or as a means of long-term decompression for bowel dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Department of General Surgery, A80, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Felsher
authors.forename: Bipan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chand
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ponsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D016154:Digestive System Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D018589:Gastroparesis / Q000601:surgery; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome