ABSTRACT
Percutaneous transesophageal gastro-tubing (PTEG) is considered a safe and effective treatment technique for drainage or feeding in patients with malignant bowel obstruction. We report six cases with malignant bowel obstruction due to recurrent gastric cancer whose bowel symptoms were satisfactory improved with PTEG. Ileus tubes were inserted in three of the six patients for decompression of the alimentary tract, a feeding tube was inserted in one patient for enteral feeding, and double elementary diet tubes (W-ED tube) were inserted in other two for decompression and enteral feeding. The median indwelling duration was 52days (rang; 24-460days). Home enteral nutrition was possible for the three patients with feeding tube and W-ED tube. Regarding decompression of alimentary tract, PTEG relieved the symptoms of all patients. One patient suffered from dermatitis around the inserted part of ileus tube because of the leakage of gastro-intestinal juice, and the ileus tube was removed. In two cases, the inserted tubes were exchanged because of the tube obstruction. PTEG made possible to use various types of tube depending on the state of the disease. From our experience, it is suggested that PTEG technique is an effective and useful procedure of choice for long-term drainage or feeding in patients with malignant bowel obstruction. Palliat Care Res 2008; 3(2): 335-342