Approach of early initiation of enteral feeding after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement

Objective To study the reliability and feasibility of early enteral nutrition in patients performed percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG). Methods 105 successive patients who met the entry criteria were enrolled,with 55 in experimental group and 50 in control group.patients in experimental group were given feedings at 3 hours after PEG placement,others in control group were given feedings at 12 hours after PEG. The change in abdominal girth before and 1 hour after the initial feeding and complications in 72 hours and 4 weeks after PEG and the change in nutritional indicator(hemoglobin,triglycerides,and serum albumin) before and 4 weeks after PEG were compared. Results There were no statistical differences between the groups for age,sex or entity distribution. The changes in abdominal girths were also similar and statistically not significantly different(P=0.610). The complications in 72 hours(P=0.843) and 4 weeks(P=0.880) after PEG was statistically the same between the experimental and control groups. The change in hemoglobin(P=0.911),triglycerides(P=0.655),and serum albumin(P=0.213) before and 4 weeks after PEG were also similar and statistically not significantly different. Conclusion Feedings after PEG placement can be started as soon as 3 hours after the procedure is completed with no increase in complications.