Tube gastrostomy. A routine adjunct in major abdominal operations

In this study of 217 major and varied abdominal operations (larger than cholecystectomy), tube gastrostomy was performed as a routine adjunct. Satisfactory gastrointestinal (GI) decompression was maintained in more than 98 per cent of patients. Advantages of this approach over the use of a nasogastric tube are discussed. Important technical aspects are also highlighted. Complications other than malfunction of the gastrostomy tube were few and included minor bleeding in four patients and percutaneous ascites fluid drainage in two patients. Considering that a tube gastrostomy is simple to perform, functionally effective, has many advantages including enhanced patient comfort, is versatile in its possible uses including nutritional support or supplementation if needed, and carries a low morbidity and complication rate: a case is made for its use as a routine adjunct in major abdominal operations.