ABSTRACT
Of 95 randomly selected patients using a percutaneous gastrostomy tube [PEG], 20 required tube replacement at least six months after the initial placement. In order to study the possible histopathological changes that might develop in the gastric mucosa with the prolonged use of PEG, gastric biopsies were taken during the replacement procedure. The overall procedure-related minor complication rate was 16.84%; the predominant complication was superficial peristomal wound infection. Other minor complications were tubal migration into the small bowel, surgical emphysema and stomal leak. Histopathological changes seen in six patients showed mild chronic nonspecific gastritis, the predominant cells being lymphocytes and plasma cells. There was no dysplasia or metaplasia. PEG is a safe method of feeding that does not predispose to significant gastric mucosal changes with long-term use. It has a low rate of morbidity even with markedly debilitated patients