[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for palliative decompression drainage in inoperable ileus]

Bowel obstruction, causing repetitive vomiting and reduced quality of life, is a common complication in patients with intraabdominal malignancies. Conservative treatment with nasogastric tubes is limited by patient discomfort. Antisecretory drug treatment with octreotide may be insufficient. We describe the application of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in 3 terminally ill cancer patients as simple and effective method for decompression in the upper gastrointestinal tract.