Complications Following Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy: Acute Respiratory Infection and Local Skin Infection

Abstract

Abstract: Few studies of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) have evaluated the effects of antibiotic prophylaxis, PEG placement technique and early PEG feeding on acute postoperative complications. In this retrospective study, we investigated associations between postoperative management of PEG and complications of infection. The medical records of 271 patients were included in this study. Administration of antibiotics, early and delayed enteral feeding, and PEG placement technique were analyzed as risk factors for infectious complications. The rate of local skin infection correlated with early PEG feeding, but there was no difference in the rate of local skin infection due to postoperative administration of antibiotics. Early feeding with the usual enteral formula was a strong risk factor for local skin infection. The rate of local skin infection was higher in the “Push/Pull” technique than the “Introducer” technique. As for aspiration, the rate of complication was lower in groups with postoperative administration of antibiotics than in groups without administration of antibiotics, but there was no association between aspiration and early feeding or PEG placement technique. Local skin infection correlated with early postoperative feeding and was not correlated with antibiotic prophylaxis. However, the administration of antibiotics is recommended for the prevention of aspiration.