Gastrostomy use in children: a 3-year single centre experience

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Surgical Procedures
• Medical Device Complications

Background:

• Gastrostomy tubes are crucial for nutritional support in pediatric patients.
• Understanding indications and complications is vital for quality improvement.
• Literature data provides a benchmark for assessing local practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe indications for gastrostomy in children.
• To analyze major complications associated with gastrostomy.
• To compare local data with existing literature for quality assessment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of pediatric gastrostomy patients at UZ Ghent (2007-2009).
• Data collected on indication, age, weight, insertion method, complications, and tube type.
• Comparison with literature data for quality control.

Main Results:

• 178 patients included; 93% received endoscopic pull technique gastrostomy.
• Neurodevelopmental disability was the primary indication (63%).
• Late complications included 8 buried bumpers (5.6%), incidence increased with prolonged tube use (P < 0.01).
• 45 patients (25.3%) underwent Nissen fundoplication, often concurrently with gastrostomy.

Conclusions:

• Prolonged percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube use is associated with buried bumper development.
• Simultaneous laparoscopic Nissen procedure and PEG placement is safe for significant GORD, without increasing complications.