Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy or jejunostomy and the incidence of aspiration in 79 patients.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) are well-accepted procedures for long-term enteral alimentation. PEG has replaced surgical gastrostomy at many institutions because of its safety and ease. This study was undertaken to evaluate the indications for PEG and PEJ, as well as their success rates, complications with special attention to aspiration, and long-term follow-up. We were specifically interested in reviewing the problem of aspiration in patients with PEG and PEJ. A retrospective review of 79 patients at Brooke Army Medical Center over a 3-year period was done. PEG or PEJ was successful in 79 of 81 patients (97%). The most common indications were neurologic disorders in 46 patients (58%) and cancer in 20 (25.3%). Complications other than aspiration occurred in 11 patients (14%). Aspiration occurred in nine patients after PEG or PEJ (11.4%); six patients had experienced aspiration prior to PEG or PEJ. Six patients had a jejunostomy tube placed through the PEG for prevention of aspiration, and three died of continued aspiration. We conclude that aspiration is not prevented by PEJ, continues to be a major problem after PEJ, and becomes manifest for the first time after PEG.     

Endoscopic vs surgical gastrostomy for enteral nutrition

Summary A retrospective review of 78 patients who had undergone endoscopic gastrostomy and 22 patients who had undergone Stamm gastrostomy was carried out. The mean operative time for the Stamm gastrostomy group was 63 min, while that for the endoscopic gastrostomy group was 26 min. One operative complication — bleeding — requiring reoperation occurred in the Stamm gastrostomy group. The incidences of aspiration, pneumonia, wound infection, and mortality were significantly higher in the Stamm gastrostomy group. We conclude that percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is the preferred technique for long-term enteral nutrition.     

Endoscopic vs surgical gastrostomy for enteral nutrition

A retrospective review of 78 patients who had undergone endoscopic gastrostomy and 22 patients who had undergone Stamm gastrostomy was carried out. The mean operative time for the Stamm gastrostomy group was 63 min, while that for the endoscopic gastrostomy group was 26 min. One operative complication--bleeding--requiring reoperation occurred in the Stamm gastrostomy group. The incidences of aspiration, pneumonia, wound infection, and mortality were significantly higher in the Stamm gastrostomy group. We conclude that percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is the preferred technique for long-term enteral nutrition.     

Operative versus endoscopic gastrostomy. Preliminary results of a prospective randomized trial

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in 23 patients was compared with operative gastrostomy in 25 patients in a prospective randomized fashion. Procedure-related morbidity occurred in five patients in each group. Tube feeding was initiated within 48 hours in 96 percent of the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy group and in 82 percent of the operative gastrostomy group (p less than 0.1). There were no deaths in the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy group, but two patients in the operative gastrostomy group died within 30 days of operation (p less than 0.1). Neither death appeared directly attributable to gastrostomy placement. The cost for a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was less than that of an operative gastrostomy ($757 versus $1,446); however, if endoscopically placed tubes required replacement, as was seen in six patients, total percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy cost increased to $1,198. Definitive conclusions regarding the superiority of one technique over the other cannot be drawn from this data. Trends favoring the use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy merit continued study.     

Gastroesophageal reflux after repair of atrioventricular septal defect in infants with trisomy 21: a comparison of medical and surgical therapy.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux and dysmotility are common in children with trisomy 21. Children with trisomy 21 and congenital heart disease are at increased risk for complications of gastroesophageal reflux even after repair of their cardiac abnormalities. The optimal management of reflux in these patients is not known. METHODS: The authors studied 24 consecutive infants (5.3+/-3.1 months) with trisomy 21 and atrioventricular septal defect who had symptoms or signs of gastroesophageal reflux and a positive esophageal pH study finding early after repair of their cardiac anomaly. Ten patients were given standardized medical therapy with upright positioning during and after feedings, thickening of feedings, metoclopramide, and an H2-receptor antagonist. The other 14 underwent primary surgical management consisting of Nissen fundoplication through a minilaparotomy. RESULTS: All 10 medically treated patients required readmission within 2 weeks for complications related to reflux, including aspiration or pneumonia (n = 6), persistent failure to thrive (n = 2), and frequent apneic episodes (n = 2). No surgically treated patients had reflux-related complications requiring readmission. The total duration of hospitalization in the medically treated patients, including the initial hospitalization and the rehospitalization, was significantly longer than in patients who underwent fundoplication (35.8+/-9.8 v. 10.4+/-2.2 days, P<.001). At follow-up (24 to 56 months), all patients were alive except for 1 medically treated patient who died of aspiration pneumonia 28 days after readmission. Two medically treated patients required a Nissen, and 3 patients in the surgical group underwent redo fundoplication, all within 1 year. Three other patients in the medically treated group required a total of 8 hospitalizations for complications of reflux. No patient in either group required placement of a gastrostomy tube. Weight percentile for age was higher in surgical than medical patients. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with trisomy 21 and atrioventricular septal defect who undergo fundoplication are less likely to experience major complications of reflux early after cardiac surgery than those treated with a medical regimen of upright posture, thickened feedings, metoclopramide, and H2-receptor blockade.     

Successful new method of extracorporeal percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (E-PEG)

Background Although percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has become popular for patients with swallowing disorders as a nutrition support or a decompressant of gastrointestine, perioperative complications associated with PEG have not decreased, especially peristomal infections. To reduce peristomal infections, we designed a new method of gastrostomy by extracorporeal approach under endoscopic observation, named as extra-corporeal PEG (E-PEG). Methods Experimental studies for E-PEG were performed repeatedly using pigs under general anesthesia to confirm the safty of its procedure for human use. After approval of institutional ethics review board in our university, thirty patients with prior consent participated in this study. The operation time, the incidence rate of complications and the hospital stay were compared between E-PEG and ordinary pull-method PEG groups. Results Two patients (6.7%) in E-PEG group had postoperative complications, i.e., aspiration pneumonia and surgical site infection. The operation time of E-PEG group was 5–16 (mean ± SD: 10.3 ± 2.96) min as compared to 14–37 (mean ± SD: 26.9 ± 8.39) min with pull-method PEG. The postoperative hospital day of E-PEG was within two days except for the two complicated cases. Significance differences of operation time, complication rate and postoperative hospital stay between those groups observed statistically. Conclusions These results indicate that E-PEG was safe, tolerable and speedy when compared ordinary pull-method PEG.     

Feeding jejunostomy (versus gastrostomy) passes the test of time

The authors previously reported a higher incidence of early postoperative complications after feeding gastrostomy compared to jejunostomy, prompting the recommendation of jejunostomy for chronic enteral feeding. Long-term follow-up has since been obtained on these 31 patients and an additional 25 patients undergoing surgical feeding procedures. The 26 feeding gastrostomies were 16 Stamm, eight permanent mucosal-lined, and two Witzel. The 30 feeding jejunostomies consisted of 19 Roux-en-Y, nine Stamm, and two Witzel. Patients with gastrostomy have had a mean follow-up of 100 days. Adverse events have occurred in 15/26 (58%), including 9 patients with pulmonary aspiration (35%), two of which were fatal. Twenty-three additional patients have died of underlying diseases. All 11 patients with tube jejunostomy died of underlying diseases within 4 months of surgery. The complication rate was 36%, including pulmonary aspiration in both patients with Witzel jejunostomy. The 19 patients with Roux-en-Y jejunostomy have had mean follow-up of 169 days. Complications have occurred in 9 patients (47%); 16/19 patients (mean age 55 years) have died of underlying disease. The mean age of the patients still alive is 35 years. Feeding jejunostomy has a lower incidence of complications, especially pulmonary aspiration, than gastrostomy. Stamm jejunostomy should be used for enteral feeding in older patients and in patients with short life expectancy. In younger patients requiring lifelong enteral feeding, Roux-en-Y jejunostomy should be used.     

Outcome of Laparoscopy-Assisted Feeding Tube Insertion in Elderly Stroke Victims

Background : When percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is not possible, or fails, the patient is referred for laparoscopic gastrostomy or jejunostomy (LAG/J).

Method : During 2005–2008, we performed laparoscopy-assisted feeding tube insertion on 15 patients. We assessed the outcome in terms of leaks, infection, longevity etc. The patients were followed-up for up to 12 months. Results : The procedure was successful in 14/15 patients. However, thirteen died within little more than a year, of whom seven suffered from pneumonia or aspiration.

Discussion : Our study confirms that LAG/J is technically possible, carries a high morbidity, is a last ditch attempt and that it does not change the general prognosis of these debilitated patients.     

Laparoscopic-Assisted Gastric Button Placement: a Valuable Alternative for a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG)

A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy remains the first choice when oral feeding is difficult. In some patients however an endoscopic placement of a gastrostomy tube is not possible. As an alternative, a laparoscopic-assisted insertion of a gastric button was performed to provide enteral feeding in seven patients. Enteral feeding could be resumed within one or two days after the procedure and no complications were encountered. This minimal invasive technique has certain advantages over a surgical gastrostomy by laparotomy. Therefore, a laparoscopically inserted gastric button should be considered a valuable alternative if percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is no longer possible.     

Laparoscopic-assisted gastric button placement: a valuable alternative for a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)

A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy remains the first choice when oral feeding is difficult. In some patients however an endoscopic placement of a gastrostomy tube is not possible. As an alternative, a laparoscopic-assisted insertion of a gastric button was performed to provide enteral feeding in seven patients. Enteral feeding could be resumed within one or two days after the procedure and no complications were encountered. This minimal invasive technique has certain advantages over a surgical gastrostomy by laparotomy. Therefore, a laparoscopically inserted gastric button should be considered a valuable alternative if percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is no longer possible.     

Combined tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is rapidly becoming the preferred method of long-term enteral access with minimal complications obviating the need for prolonged nasogastric or orogastric intubation. Tracheostomy is the accepted technique for long-term airway control, especially for protection against upper airway secretions and respiratory failure. Over a 14 month period, 73 percutaneous gastrostomies were inserted in 71 patients. Nine patients (12.6 percent) had previously undergone tracheostomy, and 13 patients (18.3 percent) underwent a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy immediately after tracheostomy. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia. The concomitant percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy added little time to the total procedure and was not associated with additional complications. Early experience with percutaneous gastrostomy indicates that a substantial number of patients (30.9 percent in the present study) also required tracheostomy. The tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy combination completely frees the nasopharynx of indwelling tubes. Concomitant percutaneous gastrostomy should be considered in patients undergoing tracheostomy.     

Aspiration pneumonia following surgically placed feeding tubes

: The enteral route is preferred in surgical patients requiring nutritional support; however, controversy surrounds the choice of location of feeding tube placement. Although jejunostomy has been commonly accepted as superior to gastrostomy for long-term nutritional support because of an assumed lower risk of aspiration pneumonia, recent studies suggest that reevaluation of common practices of surgical tube placement is warranted. : We conducted a retrospective chart review of gastrostomy and jejunostomy procedures from 1986 to 1993. Demographic information and complications related to the procedure were reviewed. Aspiration pneumonia was defined as respiratory symptoms, leukocytosis, and infiltrate on chest radiograph. : Sixty-nine gastrostomies and 86 jejunostomies were performed during the study period. Six patients were diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia; 2 cases of which occurred with jejunostomy and 4 cases occurred with gastrostomy (P = not significant). : There was no difference in rates of pulmonary aspiration or other complications between gastrostomy and jejunostomy. We suggest that when a surgically placed feeding tube is required, the determination of appropriate procedure be based on clinical factors such as the technical difficulty of the operation or long-term feeding goals.     

Percutaneous drainage of infected pancreatic necrosis: an alternative to surgery

AIM OF THE STUDY: To describe a technique of percutaneous CT guided catheter drainage of infected pancreatic necrosis and to report the results of this technique compared with those of the conventional surgical treatment and of other percutaneous drainage series. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1992 and 1997, the series included 32 patients who had a severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis with a mean Ranson score of 4.6, scored into grade D (n = 10), and grade E (n = 22), according to the Balthazar radiological staging. Modified Van Sonnenberg 24 F double lumen catheters were used for continuous irrigation and aspiration. RESULTS: Forty-nine drains were inserted for 41 infected necroses and eight abscesses. Among the 32 patients, the proof of infected necrosis was obtained in 26 patients by fine needle aspiration and culture (enterococcus, staphylococcus, pseudomonas). The average delay of catheter insertion was 23 days after onset of pancreatitis; the mean duration of drainage was 43 days, and an average of three catheters per patient was required. Five patients (15%) died, and among the survivors, 16 (59%) presented 21 complications including 14 enterocutaneous or pancreatic fistulas. A subsequent surgical procedure including two necrosectomies was necessary in six patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that percutaneous drainage of infected pancreatic necrosis with a 15% mortality and 70% success rate, represents an interesting alternative to conventional surgery.     

Laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric gastric access for long-term enteral feeding may be performed via a laparotomy, laparoscopy, or a percutaneous approach. In children and adolescents, laparoscopic-assisted gastrostomy may be difficult due to a thick abdominal wall. Therefore, if the abdominal wall is estimated to be >2 cm on physical examination, or in children in whom a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was unsuccessfully attempted by a gastroenterologist, we routinely perform a laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. METHODS: From January 1998 through February 2003, we retrospectively reviewed 15 cases of a laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Instruments used to perform this technique are a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy kit, an Olympus flexible endoscope, and one 5-mm STEP port placed through an infraumbilical incision for a 5-mm, 30-degree scope. RESULTS: Age range was 2 years to 20 years (mean, 10). Operative time ranged from 20 minutes to 45 minutes. When a concurrent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was performed (n = 6), the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was placed after completion of the Nissen fundoplication. No intraoperative complications occurred, and all tubes were successfully placed. Feeds were instituted the following day and advanced to goal. To date, no postoperative complications have occurred, and revision has not been necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children and adolescents is safe and effective. Utilizing laparoscopy permits evaluation of the peritoneum and lysis of adhesions, if necessary. Moreover, laparoscopy provides excellent exposure for accurate placement of the PEG, while avoiding injury to other organs.     

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy has been shown by many investigators to be a safe, rapid means of gaining access to the gastrointestinal tract. Over a 3 1/2 year period, 155 percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies were performed. All of the patients had an inability to nourish themselves orally. The technique described by Ponsky et al was used. Preoperative antibiotics were administered to 108 patients, and most of the procedures were performed under local anesthesia. Many of the procedures were performed in association with tracheostomies. There were 17 complications (11 percent), including 2 deaths (1 percent). Comparison of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy to operative gastrostomy revealed percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy to be superior. We believe that percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy should be considered the procedure of choice for tube gastrostomy.     

CT引导下经皮胃造瘘术行肠内营养

目的探讨CT引导下经皮胃造瘘术的安全性、可行性及患者营养的改善情况。方法对12例接受CT引导下经皮胃造瘘术的患者资料进行回顾性分析,观察术前与术后1、2个月营养指标变化,比较术前、术后1天超敏C反应蛋白的变化,记录术中、术后并发症。结果手术成功率为100%(12/12)。与术前比较,术后1、2个月患者体质量指数、血红蛋白、血清白蛋白均有改善(P均0.05)。术后并发症包括造瘘口处轻度疼痛5例、造瘘口渗少量脓液3例、吸入性肺炎5例、造瘘管堵塞4例、黑便6例。术前、术后超敏C反应蛋白变化不明显(P均0.05)。结论 CT引导下经皮胃造瘘术患者易耐受、成功率高、并发症轻,术后患者营养改善明显,是一种安全、可行的肠内营养方法。     

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy complications in a tertiary-care center

Since its introduction in 1980 the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has become the procedure of choice for establishing enteral access. However, there is still a relatively high complication rate associated with PEG placement. We reviewed the complications associated with PEG placement at our tertiary-care referral center. A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients over 17 years of age undergoing PEG placement between January 1, 1994 and March 1, 1996. Indications for surgery, antibiotic use, and postoperative complications were determined. There were 166 PEGs placed during this time and 27 (16.3%) complications. There was one death (0.6%) directly related to PEG placement. Thirteen patients (7.8%) died within 30 days of PEG placement and an additional 12 patients (7.2%) died before leaving the hospital. Wound infections occurred in nine (5.4%) patients including one case of necrotizing fasciitis. Only four of 153 (2.6%) patients who received preoperative antibiotics developed wound infections, whereas five of 13 (38.5%) patients without antibiotic prophylaxis developed infections. We conclude that percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a safe and effective way of establishing enteral access in most patients. A relatively high mortality rate can be expected as a result of underlying medical problems. Antibiotics should be given to help prevent local wound infections.     

Comparison of the use of endoscopic and radiologic gastrostomy in a single head and neck cancer unit

Background: Head and neck cancer patients frequently require gastrostomy feeding. Different insertion techniques have been described. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical results of percutaneous endoscopic and radiological gastrostomies in patients treated in a regional head and neck cancer unit. Methods: The records of patients who received either percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) or percutaneous radiological gastrostomy (PRG) between August 1997 and February 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. Documented complications (leak, infection, nausea and vomiting, ileus, bleeding, peritonitis) were recorded, compared and evaluated. Results: There were 74 patients (56 PEG, 18 PRG), most with stage III and IV head and neck malignancy. There was a sig­nificantly lower incidence of complications in PEG than PRG (11% vs 44%, P = 0.004). There was a delay of feeding due to tube placement in 4% of PEG and 22% of PRG (P < 0.025). Major complications occurred in 3.6% and 5.6% of PEG and PRG, respectively. Generally the complication rate for either form of gastrostomy was comparable with other studies. No procedure‐related deaths occurred. Conclusion: Selection bias, technique and tube type appeared to influence the complication rate in the present review. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy will remain the authors’ preferred method while PRG will be reserved for those cases for whom endoscopic placement is deemed to be impractical.     

Metastatic spread to a percutaneous gastrostomy site from head and neck cancer: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes is a common procedure in patients with head and neck cancer who require adequate nutrition because of the inability to swallow before or after surgery and adjuvant therapies. A potential complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes is the metastatic spread from the original head and neck tumor to the gastrostomy site. METHODS: This is a case of a 59-year-old male with a (T4N2M0) Stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement at the time of his surgery and shortly thereafter developed metastatic spread to the gastrostomy site. A review of the published literature regarding the subject will be made. RESULTS: Twenty-nine cases of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy site metastasis occurring in patients with head and neck cancer have been previously reported in the literature. The pull-through method of gastrostomy tube placement had been used in our patient as well as in the majority of the other cases reviewed in the literature. CONCLUSION: The metastatic spread of head and neck cancer to the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy site is a very rare occurrence. The direct implantation of tumor through instrumentation is the most likely explanation for metastasis; however, hematogenous seeding is also a possibility. To prevent this rare complication, other techniques of tube insertion need to be considered.     

Push versus pull gastrostomy in cancer patients: A single center retrospective analysis of complications and technical success rates

Purpose

To compare the technical success and complication rates of push versus pull gastrostomy tubes in cancer patients, and to examine their dependence on operator experience.