Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy

Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy is comparable to endoscopic gastrostomy in its simplicity, high success rate and lack of complications. Furthermore, it compares favourably with endoscopic gastrostomy in significant aspects such as a lower incidence of wound infection, reduced risk of aspiration and ease of conversion to jejunal placement. There are also fewer contraindications to radiologic placement and the cost is likely to be less than for endoscopic gastrostomy.Since the emergence of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, clinicians have been re-evaluating the role of the gastrostomy in managing patients requiring nutritional support or gastrointestinal decompression. Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy is an eminently suitable alternative to endoscopic or surgical gastrostomy.     

Laparoscopic-Assisted Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

There are a variety of techniques for gastrostomy tube placement. Endoscopic and radiologic approaches have almost entirely superseded surgical placement. However, an aging population and significant advancements in modern healthcare have resulted in patients with increasingly complex medical issues or postsurgical anatomy. The rising prevalence of obesity has also created technical challenges for proceduralists of many specialties. When patients with these comorbidities develop the need for long-term enteral nutrition and feeding tube placement, standard approaches such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) by endoscopists and percutaneous image-guided gastrostomy (PIG) by interventional radiologists may be technically difficult or impossible. For these challenging situations, laparoscopic-assisted PEG (LAPEG) is an alternative option. LAPEG combines the advantages of PEG with direct intraperitoneal visualization, helping ensure a safe tube placement tract free of intervening organs or structures. In this review, we highlight some of the important factors of first-line gastrostomy techniques, with an emphasis on the utility and procedural technique of LAPEG when they are not feasible.     

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and outcome in dementia

The use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for the administration of food and medications in patients with dementia has been on an increase. Many studies have failed to demonstrate the positive outcome expected of this feeding modality for the indications that required tube placement. Hence, the concept of feeding through gastrostomy tubes has become the subject of much discussion and controversy in recent times. We have reviewed the literature with regard to outcome in older patients with dementia and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with respect to nutritional parameters, quality of life, and survival. A brief discussion on ethical and legal aspects is included. Much of the data do not suggest that outcome in dementia is favorably improved after percutaneous gastrostomy.     

Prospective Trial Evaluating Early Initiation of Feeding in Patients with Newly Placed One-Step Button Gastrostomy Devices

The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the feasibility and safety of early feeding in patients with newly placed one-step button (OSB) gastrostomy devices. Twenty-five patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic button gastrostomy placement were prospectively enrolled. The patients underwent radiographic assessment (Gastrografin gastrograms) 3 hr after gastrostomy placement. Contrast extravasation was not documented in any patient. Aside from one patient who aspirated the contrast solution after the radiologic study, all others (96%) were successfully fed on the day the gastrostomy buttons were placed. In this prospective study of patients with newly placed OSB gastrostomy devices, early initiation of feeding was feasible and safe. In a fashion similar to their tube-style counterparts, button gastrostomy devices provide adequate apposition between the stomach and abdominal wall immediately after their initial placement.     

Image guided percutaneous gastrostomy catheter placement: How we do it safely and efficiently

Gastrostomy tube is an effective and safe long-term feeding access that is welltolerated by patients.The typical placement routes include surgical,endoscopic and interventional radiologic placement.In particular,percutaneous interventional radiologic gastrostomy(PIRG)has increasingly become the preferred method of choice in many practices.Although many PIRG techniques have been developed since the 1980s,there is still a paucity of evidence supporting the choice of a most-optimal PIRG technique.Hence,there is a large variation in institutional approach to PIRG.We are a large,quaternary academic institution with an extensive experience in PIRG.Therefore,we aim to present the“push”PIRG technique utilized in our institution,to review the current literature,to discuss the optimal choice of PIRG technique and to generate further interests in comparison studies.     

Comparison of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy and PEG with jejunal extension

BACKGROUND: Jejunostomy tubes can be placed endoscopically by means of percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension (PEG-J) or by direct percutaneous jejunostomy. These 2 techniques were retrospectively compared in patients requiring long-term jejunal feeding. METHOD: An endoscopy database was used to identify all patients who underwent endoscopic jejunal feeding tube placement from January 1996 to May 2001. Patients with a history of upper GI surgery were excluded. There were 56 patients with a direct percutaneous jejunostomy and 49 with a percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension. Patients in the direct percutaneous jejunostomy group received a 20F direct jejunostomy tube; a 20F PEG tube with a 9F jejunal extension was used in the percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension group. Medical records for the period of 6 months after establishment of jejunal access were reviewed. Complications and need for further endoscopic intervention within this time frame were recorded. The duration of feeding tube patency (number of days from established jejunal access to first endoscopic reintervention) was compared for both groups. RESULTS: Feeding tube patency was significantly longer in patients who had a direct percutaneous jejunostomy compared with those with a percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension. Within the 6-month period, 5 patients with a direct percutaneous jejunostomy required endoscopic reintervention for tube dysfunction compared with 19 patients who had a percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: For patients who require long-term jejunal feeding, a direct percutaneous jejunostomy with a 20F tube provides more stable jejunal access compared with a percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension with a 9F extension and has a lower associated rate of endoscopic reintervention.     

Metastatic esophageal cancer leading to gastric perforation after repeat peg placement

Various complications from percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy have been reported. We describe a case of pneumoperitoneum after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement because of gastric wall weakening from malignant stomal seeding and, possibly, from chemoradiation.     

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

The development of an endoscopic procedure for the placement of a gastrostomy feeding tube has revived interest in the use of this technique for nutritional support. The medical literature has reported a considerable amount of experience which attests to its ease of placement and low incidence of complications associated with placement. The "push" and "pull" techniques both have been used effectively to establish access to the stomach. Innovations by numerous practitioners have helped reduce some of the minor complications associated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement. Serious complications from pulmonary aspiration and stomal infection remain important management issues after gastrostomy placement and initiation of feeding. The adequacy of nutritional support should be the final measure of successful PEG placement.     

Acceptability and outcomes of the Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement- patients' and care givers' perspectives

Background  

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube has now become a preferred option for the long-term nutritional support device for patients with dysphagia. There is a considerable debate about the health issues related to the quality of life of these patients. Our aim of the study was to assess the outcome and perspectives of patients/care givers, about the acceptability of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement.     

Cost analysis of antibiotic prophylaxis for PEG

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting recommendations regarding the prophylactic use of antibiotics in patients undergoing placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes. The purpose of this decision analysis was to assess the cost-effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. METHODS: A decision tree was modeled using the data of 7 published prospective placebo-controlled trials. Infectious complications were classified as grade I (requiring local care), grade II (requiring intravenous antibiotics), or grade III (requiring surgery). Medication costs were estimated from the United States average wholesale prices of the 1998 Red Book. Physician and facility costs were estimated based on the 1998 Medicare costs. A one-way sensitivity analysis was performed by varying the probability rates of the complications associated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and the costs of their treatment. RESULTS: The average cost of prophylactic antibiotics was $13.10. Antibiotic prophylaxis led to expected cost savings of $76.72 per percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. A sensitivity analysis suggested that antibiotic prophylaxis for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was the preferred strategy unless the average probability of grade III complications dropped below an improbably low threshold value of 0.09%. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic prophylaxis in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a cost-effective strategy.     

“Timing of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in post-stroke patients does not impact mortality,complications, or outcomes”: Commentary

In this commentary, we summarize some of the key points of the original paper “Timing of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in post-stroke patients does not impact mortality, complications, or outcomes” and offer support for the proposed results. Specifically, we address how early percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG) tube placement may reduce hospital length of stay and costs. We also discuss topics related to the article including PEG weaning and post-stroke nutritional form...     

脑室腹腔分流术后经皮胃镜下胃造瘘术并气腹1例

本文报道1例脑室腹腔分流术后经皮胃镜下胃造瘘术并气腹病例,探讨胃镜下胃造瘘术和脑室腹腔分流术二者组合的可行性及安全性。     

Increased risk of peristomal wound infection after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with diabetes mellitus

Background. Results of prospective studies on the effect of prophylactic antibiotics before percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy are conflicting. Factors for increased risk of peristomal wound infection have not been clearly identified.

Aim. To evaluate the incidence of complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and to determine the predictors of wound infection.

Patients and Methods. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was performed on 134 patients in different disease groups between January 1996 and June 2000. Medical records were carefully reviewed for demographic data, indications for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, use of prophylactic antibiotics, complications and comorbid conditions predisposing to wound infection.

Results. Of 134 patients, 22 (16.4%) developed complications after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Wound infection, the most common complication, occurred in 19 patients (14.2%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated microorganism. In univariate analysis, non-malignant disease and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with peristomal wound infection after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. In multivariate analysis, only diabetes mellitus was an independent risk factor for the development of peristomal wound infection after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (p=0.035).

Conclusions. Patients with diabetes mellitus have a higher risk of peristomal wound infection after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.     

Advances in Enteral Nutrition Techniques

The increasing use of enteral nutrition in hospitals has led to an expanded role for the gastroenterologist and surgeon in providing enteral access. New concepts in immunonutrition and gut support in critically ill patients have popularized early postoperative feeding. There is an ongoing need to update physicians on the diverse enteral access techniques now available. In addition to standard percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) techniques, this review focuses on reflux prevention through double-lumen feeding-suction tubes, and describes the use of steerable catheters for rapid insertion of nasojejunal and PEJ tubes without endoscopy. Low-profile "button"-type devices, one-step button placement, replacement gastrostomy devices, and special enteral techniques for patients with cancer are also reviewed.     

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: results of 115 cases

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is one of the gastrostomy methods used for patients who are unable to take food orally. We aimed to present our results for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and fifteen patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy by pull technique were retrospectively evaluated in terms of indications, complications, durability of tube, and mortality. RESULTS: Of the 115 cases, 60 were males and 55 females with the median age of 67 (2-93) years. Indications for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement were cerebrovascular accident in 39, brain tumors in 24, subarachnoidal hemorrhage in 21, several neurologic disorders in 17, miscellaneous extracerebral tumors in 6, head injury in 5, hypoxic encephalopathy in 2, and iatrogenic in 1. The durability of the tube was a median of 242 (9-1988) days. The tube was removed in 16 patients and was changed in 11 patients with a median interval of 142.5 (35-427) and 133 (24-1251) days, respectively. Four wound infections, two buried bumper syndromes, and two aspiration pneumonias developed. Total follow-up was 114.1 patient-years with procedure-related mortality, 30-day mortality, and overall mortality of 0%, 3.5% (4/115), and 17.4% (20/115), respectively. The mortality rate was 45% for patients who had brain tumor and 11.6% for the remainder. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a minimally invasive gastrostomy method with low morbidity and mortality rates, easy to follow-up, and easy to replace when clogged.     

Comparison of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy with Surgical Gastrostomy at a Community Hospital

The results of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies in 100 patients in a community hospital were compared with those of surgically placed gastrostomies in 50 patients. The morbidity rate for the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy group was 4%, compared with 30% for the patients with surgically placed gastrostomies. The procedure-related mortality for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was 1%, compared with 16% for surgically placed gastrostomies. Patients admitted to the hospital for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy stayed an average of 4 days compared with 10 days for the surgical patients; 14 patients had the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy performed as an outpatient procedure. There were no complications in this group, suggesting that percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy can be safely performed as an outpatient. In this community hospital, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was both substantially safer and far less expensive than surgically placed gastrostomy.     

Effect of Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

Thirty-three patients completed a prospective double-blind, randomized study to compare the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis or placebo on percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy-associated wound infections. We define wound infection and arrive at an incidence of 29.4% in patients receiving Cefoxitin antibiotic prophylaxis and 31.2% in patients receiving placebo. Based on these results, we do not recommend antibiotic prophylaxis for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement.     

Assessment of the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tube as part of an integrated approach to enteral feeding.

The insertion of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy has been well documented. The possible benefits for patient nutrition and nursing practice have, however, not been assessed. We report a study of enteral feeding by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in 30 patients, the majority with a persistent vegetative state. All patients had previously been fed through a nasogastric tube using manual administration and a dietitian assessed protein calorie intake. Based upon body mass index (weight/height2), midarm circumference and triceps skinfold thickness, 20 (67%) were malnourished, with 10 patients having a body mass index less than 17 (severe malnutrition); attributed to high rates of both tube displacement and feed regurgitation. Patients were observed over six to 12 months after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertion combined with overnight continuous pump feeding. All patients attained a body mass index greater than 17, and 17 (56%) of the total number achieved the normal range with no change in protein-calorie intake (pre: 2110 kcal, post: 1880 kcal). Complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in the study group included peritonitis (one), tube site infection (two) and displacement (two); all without serious sequelae. As part of an integrated approach percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy proved a safe and efficient method of enteral feeding and justifies wider consideration in the United Kingdom.     

Mini-laparoscopically guided percutaneous gastrostomy and jejunostomy

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic tube placement can be problematic under certain circumstances: absence of transillumination of the abdominal wall, percutaneous jejunostomy in patients with a PEG tube and recurrent aspiration, enteral feeding access after gastrectomy, and obstruction of the upper GI tract. As an alternative in these problematic situations, a technique was developed for placing feeding tubes under visual control by using mini-laparoscopy. METHODS: Placement of a feeding tube with mini-laparoscopy with the patient under conscious sedation was considered for 17 patients in whom standard PEG placement was impossible. Techniques used were the following: combined mini-laparoscopy/endoscopy for placement of a percutaneous gastrostomy or jejunostomy, and mini-laparoscopic-guided direct tube placement in cases of obstruction of the upper GI tract. OBSERVATIONS: In 13 patients, mini-laparoscopic-assisted tube placement was successful. In 4 patients, adhesions or peritoneal carcinomatosis prevented laparoscopic visualization of the stomach or small bowel. The combined mini-laparoscopic/endoscopic approach allowed a successful insertion of gastric tubes in 6 patients and jejunal tubes in 4 patients. Direct insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube without enteroscopy was feasible in all 3 patients with obstruction of the upper GI tract. No complication occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Mini-laparoscopy-assisted tube placement is a simple and safe alternative when endoscopic percutaneous tube placement is problematic or not feasible.     

Ethical aspects of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement for artificial nutrition and hydratation

Of the many decisions that family members and physicians must make about medical care in patients with advanced disease and perceived poor quality of life, none is more heart-wrenching than the decision about artificial nutrition and hydratation. The endoscopist often is placed in a precarious position when percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement is requested in such patients. Clinical decision-making between the patient, the family and the physician should be consistent with legal and ethical principles. The purpose of this article is to provide an evaluation of medical and ethical issues regarding the decision on placing a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube for various indications, as well as suggesting strategies to optimize the decision-making process.