Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: nine years experience in a tertiary care centre in Pakistan

To review the experience of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement and its management in the last nine years, at a tertiary care center in Pakistan.

All patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy from January 1995 to January 2004 at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, were included in this study. The indications, technique, complications and follow up were reviewed.

A total of 182 persons underwent this procedure. There were 118 (65.0%) males and 64 (35.0%) females. Age ranged from 55-86 years. One hundred seventy five (96.0%) patients had cerebro-vascular accident, five (2.75%) had Parkinson's disease and two (1.25%) malignancy. More than 99% procedures were successful and no procedure related mortality was noted. Mild PEG site infections were encountered in eighteen (9.8%) patients which were manageable with local treatment and oral antibiotics. Four (2.2%) patients had severe tube site infection and needed parenteral antibiotics. Tube dislodgement took place in five (2.75%) patients and had to be removed and reinserted. Thirty days follow up was uneventful with regard to the tube. Longest follow up was 736 days.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy had proved a viable means of enteral nutrition in patients with neurological impairment. Complications were insignificant. However, patient and care giver's education could be improved for more effective tube management, and prevention of PEG insertion site infection.