Buried Bumper Syndrome: Early or Late?

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Complications

Background:

• Buried bumper syndrome (BBS) is a rare but serious complication following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement.
• While often considered a late complication, BBS can manifest early after PEG insertion, necessitating prompt diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with buried bumper syndrome.
• To investigate the incidence of early versus late BBS development after PEG placement.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of a hospital medical database from January 2015 to February 2020 was conducted.
• Patients with diagnosed BBS following PEG placement were identified, and their demographic and clinical data were analyzed.
• BBS cases were categorized as early (within the first month) or late (after one month) post-PEG placement.

Main Results:

• Out of 36 patients with BBS, 18 (50%) developed the condition within the first month post-PEG.
• Serious complications like abscess and peritonitis were noted in 8 (22.2%) patients upon admission.
• External traction was used to treat 32 (88.9%) patients, with no observed complications, while four patients underwent surgery.

Conclusions:

• Buried bumper syndrome can occur early after gastrostomy placement.
• External traction is a reliable and safe treatment modality for BBS.
• Comprehensive patient and caregiver education is vital for preventing BBS and its associated complications.