Antibiotic prophylaxis considering patient outcome from percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

The main indications for PEG insertions are the following: stroke/CVA/diffuse cerebral vascular disease, neurological conditions, e.g. head injury, motor neurone disease, Multiple Sclerosis etc. Peristomal infection can sometimes complicate PEG placement. Antibiotics, either prophylaxis or concurrent, can reduce the incidence of peristomal wound infection after PEG placement.

Seventy five patients outcome from Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) were analysed in the period: September 1999 and October 2007 to the West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven (WCH) United Kingdom. This paper was done to evaluate the practice in WCH and the outcome has helped us to implement the changes successfully to conform to the guidelines set out by the British Association of Gastroenterologists. Our main objectives were to evaluate the antibiotic prophylaxis, the procedure and post procedure complications and the deaths after PEG tube insertion.

No immediate procedure complications; Infection was the most common postoperative complication; Antibiotics, either prophylaxis or concurrent, reduce the incidence of peristomal wound infection after PEG placement; Early PEG placement facilitates their transfer to a non-acute care environment.