Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: cross-sectional study for Slovenia

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the method of choice for long-term tube feeding in patients with swallowing disorders due to the neurologic disease or cancer. First introduction of PEG in Slovenia was performed in 1995. We are presenting the results of first cross-sectional study in Slovenia.

We performed a retrospective review of medical documentation for patients in seven Slovenian hospitals who underwent PEG placement from 2004 until 2008. The aim of our study was to analyze the experience of PEG placements, evaluate patients' demographic characteristics, determine indications, measure survival after tube placement and complications.

There were 1173 PEG placements in seven endoscopic centers: 666 in females (56,8%) and 507 in males (43,2%), mean age 72,5 years (range 14-99). Majority of patients (n=792; 67,5%) had a neurological disease. Major complications developed in 15 (1,28%) patients and four patients (0,34%) died.

PEG is an excellent method for providing long-term enteral nutrition in patient with dysphagia. It is obviously a very simple and effective method with low morbidity and mortality. Most common indications for insertion of PEG are neurologic disorders. Multidisciplinary approach in decision who is a proper candidate for PEG tube placement is recommended.