Elective home replacement of gastrostomy feeding tubes is safe and cost-effective. Has hospital referral become obsolete?

Patient characteristics and procedural and safety outcomes of percutaneous transesophageal gastro-tubing: A nationwide database study in Japan

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous transesophageal gastro-tubing (PTEG) is an alternative interventional procedure in cases where gastrostomy is not feasible. However, the safety and complication rates of PTEG have not yet been evaluated. We aimed to describe the characteristics of patients who underwent PTEG and investigate complications using a nationwide Japanese inpatient database.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we used the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database in Japan to identify patients who underwent PTEG from April 2012 to March 2020. The outcomes were the occurrence of complications, invasive treatment within 7 days after PTEG, and tube replacement within 14 days after PTEG. We statistically compared patient background, complication rates, and outcomes using PTEG indications.

RESULTS

A total of 3,684 patients underwent PTEG, which was performed in 1,455 patients for decompression and 2,193 patients for feeding. The patients' mean age was 73.1 years, and 62.1% were men. More patients in the decompression group had cancer than those in the feeding group. The overall number of complications was 47 cases (1.3%). The most common treatment administered after PTEG was red blood cell transfusion (3.9%), followed by early tube replacement (3.3%). As invasive treatments for PTEG complications, percutaneous drainage and transcatheter arterial embolization were required in 4 and 1 cases, respectively, and no cases required surgery.

CONCLUSION

We performed a descriptive study on PTEG using a nationwide database in Japan. This study also showed a low complication rate after PTEG in the real world. Our findings provide practical information on the safety of PTEG in Japan.

Possible Role of Carbocysteine Syrup in the Deflation of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Balloons

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is the method of choice to allow enteral access in patients requiring long-term enteral nutrition. However, although generally safe, percutaneous tube positioning may be plagued by several complications. Among these, the deterioration and/or deflation of balloons serving as internal bolster is particularly worrisome in that it may lead to gastrostomy cannulas dislocation. Of interest, such balloon deflation may occur in up to 30% of cases for apparently unexplained causes. Here, we provide a hypothesis that could explain some of these causes.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and jejunostomy: Indications and techniques

Nutritional support is essential in patients who have a limited capability to maintain their body weight. Therefore, oral feeding is the main approach for such patients. When physiological nutrition is not possible, positioning of a nasogastric, nasojejunal tube, or other percutaneous devices may be feasible alternatives. Creating a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a suitable option to be evaluated for patients that need nutritional support for more than 4 wk. Many diseases require nutritional support by PEG, with neurological, oncological, and catabolic diseases being the most common. PEG can be performed endoscopically by various techniques, radiologically or surgically, with different outcomes and related adverse events (AEs). Moreover, some patients that need a PEG placement are fragile and are unable to express their will or sign a written informed consent. These conditions highlight many ethical problems that become difficult to manage as treatment progresses. The aim of this manuscript is to review all current endoscopic techniques for percutaneous access, their indications, postprocedural follow-up, and AEs.

Scheduled percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube replacement did not reduce PEG-related complications

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube insertion is used for enteral nutrition. Each manufacturer has its own instructions for planned tube replacement. Accordingly, caregivers have adopted the policy of elective change at a fixed period of time (3-6 months).

AIM

The current study aimed to assess whether retained PEG for more than 6 months was associated with a higher rate of PEG-related complications.

METHODS

A retrospective single-center study included all patients who underwent PEG insertion were included in the study.

RESULTS

Overall, 303 patients were included, 48 patients (16.2%) had PEG tube replacement. Peristomal PEG tube leak was the commonest complication, occurring in 20 patients (41.7%), followed by dislodgement in 18 patients (37.5%) and obstruction in 10 patients (20.8%). Among the patients with a leak, it occurred within and beyond 6 months from PEG insertion in 40 and 60% of patients, respectively (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.21-2.18, p = .57). Similarly, 50% of patients had PEG tube obstruction within 6 months and 50% had it beyond 6 months from insertion (OR 1.46, 95% CI 0.34-6.26, p = .72). Moreover, there was no difference in PEG dislodgement after PEG insertion within or beyond 6 months (nine patients, 50% vs. nine patients, 50%), respectively, (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.42-4.47, p = .76).

CONCLUSION

Retained PEG tubes for more than 6-months were not associated with more PEG-tube-related complications.