[Endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy: an update on the indications, technique and nursing care]

There are numerous conditions and pathologies in which the patient's swallowing ability is diminished or prevented despite having working digestive system. These are the fundamental requirements for the placement of a percutaneous gastrostomy tube (PEG) as a method of choice to provide safe, effective, and prolonged enteral nutrition for the patient at home or when admitted to hospital. Due to its simplicity, safety and low cost, PEG offers several advantages over other feeding techniques, particularly nasogastric tube and parenteral feeding, although it does require simple and accurate knowledge and application of care that ensures low incidence of complications. The placement of a PEG tube should be contemplated in several clinical situations: a) for temporal use in those patients with potentially reversible diseases; b) in non-reversible diseases in which a long survival (of more than 6 months) is foreseeable, and c) in patients affected of terminal and debilitating illnesses in whom a relatively long survival is probable. In these last cases the indication and implementation for PEG should be individualized and agreed jointly. The appropriate training of care professionals and familiar supporters in charge of the patients carrying a PEG tube ensures its continuous functioning and reduces the risk of complications. This paper aims to review the indications and appropriate care for patients carrying a PEG tube and presents the most accurate care that should be provided by both the professional health carers and caregivers.