Percutaneous push-through gastrostomy by applying a CT-guided gastropexy

To evaluate the feasibility and complications of percutaneous push-through gastrostomy via a computed tomography (CT)--guided gastropexy.

From January 2005 to March 2008, 14 patients in whom an oropharyngeal passage with an endoscope was impossible received a gastrostomy using the push-through technique. To attach the stomach against the abdominal wall, a CT-guided gastropexy was performed in all patients before the gastrostomy. The initial gastric tube was replaced with a short, low-profile gastric tube 2 weeks after the gastrostomy procedure. Patients were monitored for complications and survival for 6 months.

The CT-guided dual gastropexy and percutaneous push-through gastrostomy was successfully inserted in all patients. Six months follow-up of the patients revealed only minor complications: one gastrostomy leakage and two local wounds.

CT-guided dual gastropexy combined with the push-type gastrostomy technique is practical and safe in patients in whom an oropharyngeal passage with an endoscope is impossible and represents an alternative method of gastric fixation for radiologically placed gastrostomy tubes.