[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in pediatric patients: our experience and proposal of follow-up methodology].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate effectiveness and acceptability of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in pediatric patients and to propose a data collection and follow-up methodology.


METHODS
Observational retrospective and prospective study on 33 pediatric patients and 5 adults with PEG, placed using Gauderer "push" technique, between 2000 and 2007. By means of an appropriate questionnaire, the following parameters were evaluated: complications, factors of further risk, nutritional status, management and acceptability of PEG.


RESULTS
No problems occurred during placement. Complications were few and easy to resolve. In 3 patients a stomal dehiscence occurred, strongly related to the tube gauge. During replacement, in 4 patients, bumper was not taken away because of difficult removal. 8 patients had pre-PEG Gastroesophageal reflux: In 2 of them, during the PEG placement, fundoplication was realized. Subsequently PEG procedure, only 1 patient needed fundoplication for worsening of GER. All of them continued gastroprotective treatment. Respiratory tract infections decreased in our 13 patients carries of tracheostomy.


CONCLUSIONS
To prefer smaller gauge reduces risk of dehiscence. If the bumper's removal is hard, to leave it inside is acceptable and quite safe, on condition of a careful surveillance of gastrointestinal obstruction signs. GER is not a contraindication of PEG. A careful follow-up is important, by recording all the evaluated parameters and by questionnaire to the family, during every hospital admission. This study, even if on few patients, confi rms PEG as the technique of choice for long-term enteral feeding, also in children. Training of family and caregivers is important to care.
Canali
R
R
U.O. Chirurgia Pediatrica, Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", Roma, Italia.
Sciascia Cannizzaro
G
G
Scaldaferri
A
A
Retrosi
R
R
Contini
A C
AC
Buonuomo
V
V
Pintus
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000517:prevention & control; D014139:Tracheostomy
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents