Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy: a modified Chiba-needle puncture technique with single gastropexy

To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) with a modified Chiba-needle puncture technique with the use of a single gastropexy in the same puncture tract.

In 80 patients with dysphagia, the stomach was punctured with a 21-gauge Chiba-needle, which was exchanged for a 6-Fr Neff catheter. Eleven patients with a high-lying stomach and four patients with surgically altered gastric morphology were included. A Cope suture anchor was then deployed into stomach lumens through the Neff catheter to achieve gastropexy. Then, following serial dilation, a 14-Fr diameter locking loop catheter was inserted.

All 80 patients successfully underwent PRG. Only a single puncture attempt was required for 78 patients (98%) and two attempts for two patients each. The average procedure time was 5 min 38 s. Three patients (3.8%) had major complications such as hemorrhage, deep stomal infection, and worsening pneumoperitoneum requiring tube removal. Procedure-related mortality and 30-day mortality was 0% and 5%, respectively.

PRG with the modified Chiba-needle puncture technique with use of single gastropexy in the same puncture tract was feasible, safe, and effective, especially in patients with high-lying or surgically altered stomachs.