Feeding gastrostomy for the severely burned patient

Twenty-two patients underwent feeding gastrostomy. Their ages ranged from 17 to 76 years. Their burn injuries were extensive, ranging from 31% to 88% total body surface area, with a mean of 60%. Nine gastrostomies were done through intact unburned skin, 12 were done through the burn wound itself, and one was done through a split-thickness skin graft donor site. No evidence of intraperitoneal or wound infection was observed. No intraoperative and only three postoperative complications were encountered. One patient had a wound dehiscence while in the hospital. Following discharge from the hospital, two other patients manifested incisional hernias. Initially, we were reluctant to consider this operative procedure for our patients because of anticipated intra-abdominal and wound complications. In view of our experience thus far, however, we are now more confident of the procedure.