Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy; success and outcome of a novel modality for enteral nutrition

Objective: To determine the indications and complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. Methods: The retrospective audit study was conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology, Endoscopy Unit, Patel Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of patients aged 4-95 years who underwent placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy under conscious sedation and for patients under 18 years of age having obtained anaesthesia fitness, under general anaesthesia, from August, 2008, to July, 2018. Pre-procedure treatment and follow-up was noted on a structured proforma. Data analysed using SPSS 21. Results: Of the 367 patients, 237(64.6%) were males and the overall mean age of the sample was 63 +/- 15 years. Of the total, 257(70%) procedures were done in the day-care setting. The most common primary indication for tube placement was neurological dysphagia 259(70.6%). No procedure-related mortality was observed, but 35(9.5%) patients had PEG-site infection, and 3(8.5%) of them required removal of the tube. Conclusion: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was found to be an effective and useful feeding alternative, leading to improved nutrition.