A new large-caliber trocar for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy by the introducer technique in head and neck cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: In many patients, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) can be limited by digestive tract stenosis. PEG placement using an introducer is the safest alternative for this group of patients, but the available devices are difficult to implement and require smaller-caliber tubes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the modification of an introducer technique device for PEG placement with regard to the following: procedure feasibility, possibility of using a 20-Fr balloon gastrostomy tube, tube-related function and problems, complications, procedure safety, and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 2007 and February 2008, 30 consecutive patients with head and neck malignancies underwent introducer PEG placement with the modified device and gastropexy. Each patient was evaluated for 60 days after the procedure for the success of the procedure, infection, pain, complications, mortality, and problems with the procedure. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in all cases with no perioperative complications. No signs of stomal infection were observed using the combined infection score. The majority of patients experienced mild-to-moderate pain both in the immediate postoperative period and at 72 hours. One major early complication (3.3%) and two minor complications (6.7%) were observed. No procedure-related deaths occurred during the first 60 days after the procedure. CONCLUSION: The device modification for PEG using the introducer technique is feasible, safe, and efficient in outpatients with obstructive head and neck cancer. In this series, it allowed the use of a larger-caliber tube with low complication rates and no procedure-related mortality.

An evaluation of gastric scintigraphy pre- and postpyloroduodenal peptic stenosis dilation.

BACKGROUND: The usual treatment of pyloroduodenal peptic stenosis has been mainly surgical, through pyloroplasty or gastric resection, with or without vagotomy. Since the first description of treatment for this peptic complication by endoscopic balloon dilation perfomed by Benjamin in 1982 [2], this procedure has become a therapeutic option in association with the medical treatment of peptic disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results involving clinical, endoscopic, and gastric emptying scintigraphy parameters. METHODS: Between August 1998 and February 2000, 20 patients with pyloroduodenal stenosis refractory to conservative treatment were treated at the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit of the University of São Paulo Medical School. All patients who presented clinical manifestations of pyloroduodenal stenosis underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to confirm peptic stenosis. Biopsy of the narrowing for the confirmation of a benign disease and gastric biopsy for Helicobacter pylori detection were performed. The treatment consisted of dilation of the stenosis with type TTS (Through The Scope) hydrostatic balloon under endoscopic control, treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, and gastric acid suppression with oral administration of proton pump inhibitor. All patients, except one who was excluded from this study, were submitted to a clinical endoscopic assessment and gastric emptying evaluation by ingestion of (99m)Tc before and after the treatment. Endoscopic evaluation considered the diameter of the stenotic area before and after treatment. A scintigraphic study compared the time of gastric emptying before and after balloon dilation. RESULTS: Nineteen patients completed treatment by hydrostatic balloon dilation. Clinical symptoms such as bloating (p < 0.0001), epigastric pain (p = 0.0159), gastric stasis (p < 0.0001), and weight gain (p = 0.036) showed significant improvement. The diameter of the stenotic area increased significantly (p < 0.01) after the dilation treatment as well as a better gastric emptying of (99m)Tc (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The dilation of the peptic pyloroduodenal stenosis using a hydrostatic balloon is a safe and effective procedure. The evaluation with gastric scintigraphy by ingestion of (99m)Tc is an effective method of assessment for the improvement of gastric function, because its results corresponded to the clinical improvement after endoscopic treatment.