Death after PEG: results of the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death.
BACKGROUND
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an accepted method of placing a feeding tube to enable enteral feeding in patients with swallowing difficulties. However, the factors associated with complications and death after PEG have not been studied in detail. We describe the largest audit of deaths after PEG tube insertion.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine the factors associated with death after PEG tube insertion.


METHODS
Deaths occurring within 30 days after PEG tube insertion in the United Kingdom between April 2002 and March 2003 were identified and a questionnaire was sent to the consultant endoscopist for completion.


METHODS
A total of 719 patients (391 male, median age 80 years, range 26-98 years) who died within 30 days after PEG insertion were identified for this study.


METHODS
United Kingdom hospitals.


METHODS
Cause of death.


RESULTS
A total of 97% of the identified patients had coexistent neurologic disease. PEG tubes were inserted by specialized GI physicians in 522 cases (73%). Seventy-two patients (10%) required reversal agents after sedation. After PEG tube insertion, 309 patients (43%) died within 1 week. Death was due to cardiovascular disease (n = 175), respiratory disease (n = 508), central nervous system disease (n = 358), renal disease (n = 38), and hepatic failure (n = 11). In 136 cases (19%) the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death expert panel regarded the procedure as futile.


CONCLUSIONS
Retrospective review of case records.


CONCLUSIONS
Mortality and morbidity rates after PEG tube insertion are not insignificant. Selection of patients is paramount to good patient outcomes. Multidisciplinary team assessment should be performed on all patients being referred for PEG tube insertion.
Johnston
Simon D
SD
Department of Gastroenterology, Belfast City Hospital, Northern Ireland.
Tham
Tony C K
TC
Mason
Marisa
M
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003219:Confidentiality; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom