Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for gastric decompression in metastatic gynecologic malignancies

We report our experience with 28 patients using percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for decompression of gastrointestinal obstruction as a result of carcinomatosis secondary to gynecologic malignancy. PEG could be performed successfully in 26 of the 28 patients. In two patients, intubation was not possible for technical reasons and the procedure was aborted. PEG is more cost-effective and safer than operative tube placement in these patients and offers a significantly better quality of life to the patient than does chronic nasogastric intubation.