[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in nutritional therapy--personal experience]

The authors have described the indications, contraindications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and its consecutive nutritional possibilities. They have described their own experience with 11 patients. Most common indications for the placement of a gastrostomy tube were neurological, and only in one case, esophageal diverticle. The average duration of PEG was 102 days (2-732). Besides PEG, not only polymeric diet, such as Nutrison standard sol, Fresubin, Salvimulsin, was administered, but also home-made diet, for example, mixed soup, mashed potatoes, yoghurt, juice and cocoa. The diet prepared at home was tolerated well, except for subjective data about meteorism given by one female-patient. PEG complications were minimal, in one case a dry fistula was detected after the extraction of PEG; it was closed spontaneously a week later. Another female-patient showed leukocytosis and hyperpyrexia, the etiology of which could not be proved. The patient was treated symptomatically, and three days later, leukocytosis and hyperpyrexia were normalized. A patient who has had the gastrostomy tube placed for two years, showed secretion which was treated symptomatically; now the patient is without any complications. In the last patient, there was detected an inflammation around the fixation base. Although she was treated with H2 blockers, the condition has not been improved. The authors have recommended this method in correct indications as a considerate alternative application of enteral nutrition.