Our experiences in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy applications

INTRODUCTION: Gastric nutrition is the most commonly applied form of enteral nutrition. Endoscopic, radiological and surgical techniques (open or laparoscopic) can be used for the placement of the gastrostomy tube. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is considered a better and minimally invasive feeding tube placement method compared to surgical methods. In this study, we aimed to present the short- and long-term results and experiences of our patients who underwent Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in the general surgery department.
METHODS: The study included 115 patients who were retrospectively placed with an endoscopic gastrostomy tube due to the impossibility of oral feeding at the Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, between January 2016 and December 2020. The indications, complications and early mortality results of 115 patients who had a Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube were examined.
RESULTS: Out of 119 patients who underwent endoscopic intervention for Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement, 115 (96.6%) were successful. 80 (69%) of the patients were male and 35 (31%) were female. The mean age was 54.9 (13-92). PEG indications were prolonged ventilation in 50 (44%) patients, malignancy in 16 (14%) patients, chronic neurological disease in 20 (17%) patients, and other reasons in 29 (25) patients. None of our patients were taken to the operating room for PEG.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As a result, in enteral nutrition, PEG should be preferred over surgical gastrostomy because it has less morbidity and mortality, can be performed at the bedside when necessary, does not require general anesthesia, and is cheaper and more practical.