Massive hemorrhage: a late complication of replacement percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: case report

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is used as an alternative to enteral/nasoenteral feeding in situations where long-term oral feeding is ineffective or not tolerated. It is mostly preferred in patients with neurological conditions and also to support nutrition in patients with congenital heart diseases, cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and various oropharyngeal diseases. Although it is easily applicable compared to many invasive procedures, it has complications ranging from wound infection to death. PEG requires experienced medical personnel, appropriate prophylactic antibiotics and exhaustive information to the patients or their families about the procedure and subsequent care. We present a rare but important complication during the replacement of the gastrostomy tube subsequent to the "cut and push" method. The bumper portions, which should move to the distal end of the stomach, moved upwards to the proximal esophagus, caused a deep ulcer in the esophageal mucosa and a massive hemorrhage.