Laparoscopic gastrostomy and jejunostomy: review of 22 cases

Laparoscopic gastrostomy (LG) and laparoscopic jejunostomy (LJ) were performed successfully on 22 consecutive patients after development of the procedure on a porcine model. Patients did not undergo percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies (PEG) due to obstruction from head and neck, esophageal cancer, gastropexy for gastric volvulus, perforated esophagus, failed PEGs, or surgeon's preference. Operative time averaged < 20.5 min. Five patients underwent the procedure under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation and three patients were operated on in a strictly outpatient setting. There was one postoperative death. LG and LJ are safe alternatives to open enterostomy in patients who cannot undergo PEG.