Percutaneous Gastrostomy and Gastrojejunostomy: Radiological and Endoscopic Approach

Abstract

The aim of the study was to report our experience, comparing and evaluating the effectiveness, safety, indications, and obstacles of percutaneous placement of gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy catheters by fluoroscopic (percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy--PFG) and endoscopic (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy--PEG) techniques. In this retrospective comparative study over a five-year period, 52 patients were referred for gastrostomy or transgastric jejunostomy procedure for various reasons. Of these, 19 patients (36.5%) were referred for PEG and 33 patients (63.5%) were referred for PFG. The mean age was 65 years for PEG; 14 patients were male and 5 were female. The mean age for PFG was 51 years; 16 patients were male and 17 were female. The medical files and follow-up records of these patients were studied thoroughly. Success rate for catheter placement was high for both approaches (PFG and PEG), with a higher rate for PFG (100% vs. 89%). Major complications were 0% for PFG and 5.3% for PEG (P>0.05), whereas minor complications were 29% for PEG and 27% for PFG (P>0.05). Thirty-day procedure-related mortality was 0% for both techniques. Both PEG and PEG are successful, safe, and effective techniques for the installment of catheters in the stomach or jejunum. PEG technique appears to have no major complications, and is capable of overcoming some of the obstacles that may render PEG unsuccessful.