[PEG versus LAP: towards a safer technique for long-term enteral nutrition]

To compare the outcomes and complications between laparoscopic gastrostomies (LG) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies (PEG).

Retrospective review of 79 patients who had their gastrostomies inserted in our hospital (2010-2017). We compared surgical techniques, minor and major complications.

A total of 24 LG (14 males) and 55 PEG (29 males) were performed. The mean age was 4.77 [0.15-15.56] years for LG and 5.37 [0.12-16.58] years for PEG. The median time of presentation of complications was 59 [2-975] days. No statistical differences were found in minor complications between both techniques; however, minor complications were more frequent in LG (54.16% in LG versus 34.55% in PEG), mainly, overgranulation and peristomal leakage. A statistically significant association was found between patients with oncological comorbidity and minor complications (p<0.05).A statistically significant association was found between major complications and PEG (4.17% in LG versus 21.82% in PEG), p=0.045. The major complications were one tube dislodgement in the LG group, and 9 Buried-Bumper syndrome, one colon interposition without perforation, one colon perforation, one omentum interposition, two tube dislodgements and one small bowel perforation in PEG group.

Given the statistically significant association between major complications and the PEG group, being the higher frequency and severity of these complications with this technique evident; we consider the LG a safer technique. However, studies with larger number of patients and multicentric are necessary.