[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. A retrospective study of the course and complications]

To assess mortality, morbidity and outcome of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) we retrospectively studied 67 patients. PEG was successful in 65 patients (success rate, 97%). PEG was used as the procedure of choice when enteral feeding was needed. PEG was performed employing an introducer-technique and a Danish developed gastrostomy tube. The most common indication for PEG were neurological diseases (45 patients (69%)), trauma and malignant disorders (17 patients (26%)). Oral intake recovered in 18 patients (28%) who then had the tube removed, 25 patients (38%) were discharged with the gastrostomy, 13 patients (20%) died from their primary disease and five patients with PEG remained in hospital, PEG was removed in three patients due to intolerance to enteral feeding (two patients) or stomal leak (one patient). The total complication rate was 8% with three major complications (one procedure-related death). We recommend PEG for both short and long-term feeding.