Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Indications, success, complications, and mortality in 314 consecutive patients

The aim of this study was to determine the indications, success rate, procedure-related mortality, and major and minor complication rates in 314 consecutive patients in whom we attempted a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. The most common indications for placement of the gastrostomy tube were neurologic (n = 235, 75%) and oropharyngeal disorders (n = 42, 13%). We noted that the gastrostomy tube was successfully placed in 299 (95%) of the 314 patients. Ninety-three percent (n = 291) of the patients had the procedure performed in the hospital and 7% (n = 23) were outpatients when the procedure was performed. In those patients with stable underlying conditions, the procedure can safely be performed in the outpatient setting. A low rate of procedure-related mortality (1%), major complication (3%), and minor complication (13%) was noted. Our experience suggests that the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is safe and has a low mortality rate even in patients who are medically debilitated secondary to their underlying disease.