A Study of Complications Related to Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a widely used method for providing nutritional support for patients who require prolonged tubal feeding. As survival times of PEG inserted patients increase, PEG related complications are also increasing. For this reason, we decided to review complications related to PEG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for patients who received PEG placement between January 2004 and March 2013 in our hospital. Of the total 331 cases of PEG placement, 131 cases of PEG exchanges were excluded and a total of 200 cases were included in our review. We reviewed the baseline characteristics of all PEG inserted patients and complications related to PEG insertion. RESULTS: Complications related to PEG developed in 45 of 200 patients (22.5%). Peristomal infection occurred in 22 patients (11.0%) and buried bumper syndrome occurred in 10 patients (5.0%). Other complications that occurred in 13 patients were hemorrhage (3.0%), leakage (1.0%), aspiration pneumonia (1.0%), ileus (0.5%), necrotizing fasciitis (0.5%) and gastro-colo-cutaneous fistula (0.5%). The characteristics according to age, gender, procedure place and underlying disease were not different between the complication group and non complication group. The onset time to complication was significantly different between the buried bumper syndrome group and the other complication groups (P=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Peristomal infection was the most common complication of PEG in our hospital. Late peristomal infection and buried bumper syndrome occurred more often than previous studies. Buried bumper syndrome was more likely to occur in later time compared with the other complications.