Laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement.
BACKGROUND
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the most common way of placing a feeding tube. Sometimes PEG cannot be used to safely place a feeding tube, most commonly secondary to an inability to transilluminate the abdominal wall. Whereas open gastrostomy was previously necessary in such cases, laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (LAPEG) is a viable option and is reviewed here.


METHODS
All patients referred for surgical feeding tube placement after unsuccessful PEG were considered for LAPEG. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed to identify the reason for the failed PEG attempt. Additional ports were placed as needed for the retraction of organs and lysis of adhesions. The stomach was visualized, and the PEG was placed.


RESULTS
Eight patients who underwent an unsuccessful PEG were taken to the operating room for LAPEG. All patients had successful LAPEG placement. No postoperative complications occurred. The most common reason identified for failed PEG attempt was adhesions followed by overlying organs. Average OR time was 32 minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
When conventional PEG placement is not possible, LAPEG placement should be considered as a time efficient, minimally invasive alternative to open gastrostomy.
Department of Surgery, US Air Force, Eglin Air Force Base Hospital, FL 32542, USA. gustavo@lopes-usa.net
Gustavo
G
Lopes
Mark
M
Salcone
Marc
M
Neff
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male