Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Feeding Research Articles

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Feeding in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

The prevalence of congenital cerebral palsy (CP) worldwide ranges from 0.15 to 0.4%. CP causes several gastrointestinal complications that inhibit normal eating behavior. This single-center observational study aimed to determine the tolerability and benefits of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in pediatric CP patients with malnutrition. The study included 41 pediatric CP patients with malnutrition. All patient data were retrospectively obtained from Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Istanbul, Turkey. In addition to baseline measurements of weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D3, folate, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular volume, data analyzed included follow-up measurements recorded at 3 and 6 months of PEG (standard polymeric enteral supplementation as 1.0 kcal mL-1). There was significant improvement in both height, weight, and triceps skinfold thickness in all patients at 3 and 6 months of PEG (p < 0.05). In terms of blood parameters, there was not significant improvement, except that the number of patients with a low hemoglobin count significantly decreased at 3 and 6 months of (p = 0.022). Moreover, the number of patients with vomiting after PEG also significantly decreased at 3 and 6 months of (p = 0.004). PEG significantly improves malnutrition in pediatric CP patients and does not cause any major complications. Based on these findings, we think PEG is a beneficial and cost-effective intervention with a high rate of tolerability in pediatric CP patients with malnutrition.

The Decision-Making Experiences of Caregivers Regarding Feeding Tube Placement in Community-Dwelling Adults: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tube placement is multifactorial and considered a lifesaving mechanism, which leads to a host of thoughts and feelings that affect the decision-making experience. As people live longer and the population ages, these decisions often involve the caregivers who have their own experience and therefore can result in caregiver burden and anxiety. A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted to describe and understand the caregiver's decision-making experience regarding percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tube placement in community-dwelling adults. Edmund Husserl's philosophical underpinnings were utilized in conjunction with Colaizzi's (1978) method of data analysis to maintain the rigor of the study. Sixteen adult caregivers of patients from six rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was conducted. The study results yield four main themes: "Survival ... that was the determining factor"; "The doctor decided"; "More education ... just make sure they understand"; and "It makes me very scared." Implications for practice, policy, and future research are thoroughly discussed.

Nurse-led service for children with gastrostomies: a 2-year review.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding can provide long-term nutritional support for patients with a functional gastrointestinal system but insufficient oral intake. Some patients, however, may require jejunal feeding, which can be achieved using a PEG tube with jejunal extension (PEG-J). A previous review at a tertiary paediatric hospital revealed poor documentation and a high incidence of buried bumper syndrome (BBS) in children with gastrostomies. Subsequently, a nurse-led service for gastrostomy care was introduced. To determine the impact of the nurse-led service. Prospective review, at 1 year and 2 years, following either a PEG or PEG-J insertion. Patient records were reviewed and a telephone survey was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. 32 PEG and 6 PEG-J patients were included in this study. There was 100% documentation of provision of care instructions. Average satisfaction with the service was over 8/10. Incidence of BBS was 0% in the PEG group and 17% in the PEG-J group. Of those parents/carers surveyed, 74% wanted additional tube care support via SMS text message. Introduction of a nurse-led service resulted in complete documentation of provision of care and sustained high levels of parental satisfaction. Future care should focus on utilising technological platforms.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

Introduction: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a minimally invasive procedure for establishing enteral access for nutrition. There is a paucity of literature on PEG from the Indian subcontinent. With the rate of complications in the literature showing a downward trend, we aimed to analyze the same in our institute following a standard procedure of PEG tube placement. Methods: The prospective study was conducted including patients referred for PEG placement from August 2017 to December 2019. Data were recorded on a proforma. The primary aim of the study was to determine the rate of complications in patients undergoing PEG, whereas the secondary aim was to determine whether early feeding was associated with increased rate of infection or other complications. Patients were reviewed after 3 days, 1 month, and every 3 months thereafter later with clinical examination. Results: Sixty-seven (83.75%) males and 13 (16.25%) females with a median age of 51 years (range 1–85) were included in the study. Forty-one (51.25%) patients had comorbidities with hypertension being the most common (n = 28). Postoperative placement of the PEG tube was done in 47 (58.75%) patients. Seventy-four patients had underlying neurological or neurosurgical conditions. At the time of PEG placement, 59 (73.75%) had tracheostomy. All procedures were performed in the endoscopic suite, of which two were performed as day care procedures. There were no intraprocedural complications. Feed was started within 2 h in 45 (56.25%) patients and all tolerated feed well. There were no major postprocedural complications. Thirteen patients had clinically suspected PEG site infection, of which 11 patients had a culture-positive organism. All responded to conservative management. Thirty-two patients were on follow-up at a median follow-up period of 2 years. Conclusion: The incidence of complications following PEG tube placement is low. With the standardization of the PEG technique, no major complications were seen in our study. Early PEG feeding was not associated with an increase in the rate of complications.

Longitudinal complications associated with PEG: Rate and severity of 30-day and 1-year complications experienced by patients after primary PEG insertion.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) feeding is utilised in patients with exceptionally poor oral intake but is associated with both short and long-term complications. This study reviews longitudinal PEG complications and compares key subgroups. Single-centre retrospective observational study of all patients receiving PEG insertion between January 2016 and December 2018. 306 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at insertion was 67 years. The majority were cared for in their own home (80.4%) by themselves or family (74.9%). 127 PEG tubes were inserted for dysphagia and 165 prophylactically prior to treatment for head and neck cancer. In the first 30 days 16.7% experienced a complication. The most frequently reported was peristomal pain (9.2%). In the first year, 35.6% experienced at least one complication, 12.4% two complications and 6.6% three complications and 6.5% required inpatient treatment for their complication. The most common was pain (14.4%) followed by site weeping, site infection and external overgranulation. Patients with dysphagia took longer to develop complications, had fewer complications and took longer to require management by members of the secondary care team than those with head and neck cancer. Discounting peristomal pain, there was no difference in total complications between patients caring for themselves when compared to those receiving professional input. One third of patients will experience a complication related to their PEG tube over 1 year, but the majority are managed in an outpatient setting. This study has implications for planning support services and consenting and counselling patients pre-PEG-insertion.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding effects in patients with neurogenic dysphagia and recurrent pneumonia.

Background:Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding provides enteral nutrition to patients with neurological dysphagia. However, the conditions in which PEG should be applied to prevent pneumonia remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effect of PEG for patients with neurological dysphagia in preventing pneumonia.Methods:We undertook a retrospective data review of 232 patients with neurological dysphagia who had undergone PEG from January 2008 to December 2018 at Inha University Hospital, in Incheon, Korea. We excluded patients who had not been followed up 6 months pre- and post-PEG feeding. In total, our study comprised 42 patients. We compared pneumonia episodes and incidence pre- and post-PEG.Results:During the median post-PEG follow-up period, the 6-month pneumonia incidence among patients who had undergone PEG had decreased [median 0.3 (interquartile range (IQR) 0.0–0.7) versus 0.1 (IQR 0.1–0.3) episodes, p = 0.04]. In a multiple mixed model, PEG did not decrease the incidence of pneumonia (p = 0.76). However, the association between PEG and the incidence of pneumonia differed significantly depending on the presence or absence of recurrent pneumonia (p < 0.001).Conclusions:PEG could effectively reduce the incidence of pneumonia in patients with neurogenic dysphagia, especially in those who had experienced recurrent pneumonia. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Endoscopic gastrostomy for nutritional support in post-stroke dysphagia.

Introduction: persistent dysphagia affects 15 % of stroke patients and contributes to malnutrition, aspiration, and death. This study aimed to characterize patients with post-stroke dysphagia who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and to assess the impact of PEG feeding on nutritional status and outcome. Methods: an observational and retrospective study using records from patients with post-stroke dysphagia who underwent PEG. Body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, transferrin, and cholesterol were recorded at the time of PEG insertion (T0) and 3 months later (T3). The evolution of these parameters was analyzed and compared to survival. Results: we obtained data from 158 patients (53.2 % males) with a median age of 75 years. Most strokes were ischemic (n = 135, 85.4 %). Median time between stroke and PEG was 2 months. Median survival after gastrostomy was 16 months. At admission, 41.6 % of patients had low BMI, 62.3 % low albumin, 68.6 % low transferrin, and 59.6 % low cholesterol levels. The prevalence of low albumin and low transferrin was higher in the patients who underwent PEG more than 2 months after stroke. A significant increase in albumin and transferrin, and a normalization of cholesterol levels was observed after 3 months of PEG feeding. Mortality was 12.9 %, 27.7 %, and 40 % at 1, 3, and 12 months, respectively. Survival was lower in patients with low albumin, transferrin or total cholesterol at admission. Conclusions: the prevalence of malnutrition is high among patients with post-stroke dysphagia. PEG feeding improves albumin, transferrin, and cholesterol levels. Early post-PEG mortality is high and must be considered on an individual basis.

Risk Factors for Gastrointestinal Symptoms post Enteral Nutrition Initiation via a Gastrostomy Tube

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) facilitates long-term enteral nutrition. However, parenteral nutrition prior to PEG tube placement can cause impaired gastrointestinal function. Additionally, upon initiation of enteral feeding via a PEG tube, some patients suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea), which reduce their quality of life and increase the nursing workload.Method: This retrospective study included 155 patients upon whom the author performed PEG as the attending physician. Enteral nutrition was started through the PEG tube on the third day after its placement. The following characteristics were analyzed: age, gender, indications for PEG, preoperative enteral nutrition, administered liquid nutrients, daily dosage of nutrients, serum albumin levels, serum alanine aminotransferase levels, serum creatinine levels, serum hemoglobin levels, and vomiting or diarrhea within seven days after the initiation of PEG feeding. A logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors contributing to gastrointestinal symptoms, and three variables were sequentially introduced into the model—preoperative non-enteral nutrition, hypoalbuminemia, and administration of non-elemental diets.Results: Vomiting and diarrhea occurred in 10 and 15 patients, respectively. There were significant differences in administered nutrients and serum albumin levels between patients with and without gastrointestinal symptoms. Multivariate analysis revealed that the adjusted odds ratios for administration of non-elemental diets and serum albumin level ≤3.2 g/dL were 8.05 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.66–24.4; p 0.001) and 3.81 (95% CI: 1.33–10.9; p 0.05), respectively.Conclusion: The administration of non-elemental diets and a serum albumin level ≤3.2 g/dL were significant risk factors.

Attitude and experience of neurologists towards percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: an Egyptian study

BackgroundDysphagia is a common symptom among various neurological diseases. Guidelines recommend gastrostomy insertion for prolonged dysphagia with lower rate of intervention failure encountered with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) as compared to nasogastric tube insertion.MethodsNeurology consultants only were included and completed a self-administered questionnaire concerning their practice backgrounds and previous experience with PEG feeding during their practice.ResultsNinety-eight percent stated that they would recommend PEG for patients with prolonged need of nasogastric feeding. However, only 88% actually referred patients to perform PEG, with the cerebrovascular disorders being the most common cases to be referred. The main barriers the surveyed neurologists faced were family resistance and financial reasons (53.5%). Interestingly, younger neurologists practicing for less than 15 years referred patient to perform PEG significantly more frequent than older ones (p = 0.01). About 18% of our sample confirmed the lack of sufficient knowledge about the benefits of PEG feeding, and only 22% previously attended scientific sessions about the benefits and indications of PEG.ConclusionBased on our study, we recommend that PEG should be more encouraged in indicated neurological cases. Scientific sessions targeting neurologists and public awareness about the benefits of PEG and its relatively infrequent complications are highly demanded.

NEED FOR FEEDS: EARLY ENTERAL FEEDING IN MECHANICALLY VENTILATED, CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS

SESSION TITLE: Critical Care Posters SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 PURPOSE: Current guidelines recommend early enteral nutrition during critical illness within 24 to 48 hours of admission. The purpose of our study was to investigate the percent of patients admitted to our medical ICU (MICU) who received enteral nutrition within 48 hours of mechanical ventilation and to investigate barriers to administering optimal enteral nutrition. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective chart review of patients over the age of 18 who were admitted to the MICU in our academic community hospital in New York, NY and mechanically ventilated between July 1, 2019 and November 30, 2019. Patients who had nasogastric or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tubes placed prior to intubation, patients with tracheostomies, and those intubated for fewer than 48 hours were excluded. Contraindications to tube feeds were based on the ESICM 2017 clinical practice guidelines. An anonymous, electronic survey of internal medicine resident physicians was conducted to assess perception and knowledge of enteral feeding. RESULTS: Of 128 patients, 63 were excluded, the majority excluded due to length of intubation less than 48 hours. The average age of the included 65 patients was 68 years, 55% (36/65) male and 45% (29/65) female. The three most common admitting diagnoses were sepsis or septic shock 26% (17/65), respiratory failure 25% (16/65), and EtOH withdrawal 8% (5/65), Three patients had contraindications to tube feeds. Of the 62 included patients without contraindications to tube feeds, 85% (53/62) were started on tube feeds at any time and 61% (38/62) were started on tube feeds within 48 hours, and 15% (9/62) were not. Thirty of about ninety residents responded to the survey, of whom 77% (23/30) were “somewhat confident” starting tube feeds and only 13% (4/30) felt “confident in all aspects.” The reasons for not beginning enteral nutrition were lack of knowledge about correct formula 48% (14/30), timing of nutrition 45% (13/30), which patients require enteral nutrition 38% (11/30), and placing a nasogastric or orogastric tube 7% (2/30). CONCLUSIONS: Sixty-one percent of mechanically ventilated patients in our MICU were started on enteral feeds within 48 hours of intubation. Survey results from resident physicians suggest lack of knowledge and confidence as barriers to beginning enteral nutrition. Our survey was limited in sample size and in low survey response rate. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrates that many mechanically ventilated patients receive suboptimal enteral nutrition. In contrast to current literature, our study was limited to mechanically ventilated patients. Practitioner education and implementation of MICU nutrition protocol on admission would allow for improved guideline adherence and increase rates of enteral feeding. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Zein Kattih, source=Web Response no disclosure on file for linda kirschenbaum; No relevant relationships by Rebecca Mazurkiewicz, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Rebecca Zweifler, source=Web Response

Prevalence and factors associated with advanced care directives in a motor neuron disease multidisciplinary clinic in Australia

ObjectivesMotor neuron disease (MND) is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to functional decline and death. Multidisciplinary MND clinics provide an integrated approach to management and facilitate discussion on advanced care directives...

Study of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy compared to nasogastric tube feeding in patients requiring prolong enteral nutritional support

Background: The aims and objectives of this article were to compare the advantages, disadvantages associated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and nasogastric (NG) tube and also to compare complications, to measure the outcomes in terms of hospital stay, mortality and improvement in nutritional status.Methods: In this prospective and interventional study 25 patients were selected in each group on an alternate basis. Study was conducted on cases of traumatic brain injury and cerebrovascular accident patients admitted in Department of General Surgery, IGGMC for a period of November 2013- November 2015 with a need to provide prolonged enteral nutritional support. Each patient was assessed by a dietician and received a standard enteral feeding according to their body weight. The main outcome was measures at 4 weeks were complications (tube dislodgement, aspiration pneumonia, tube blockade and peristomal infections) and nutritional status.Results: The anthropometric parameters (mid arm circumference, biceps skin fold thickness and triceps skin fold thickness) and serum albumin showed a rise in PEG group at 4 weeks when compared to baseline (0 week) whereas they showed a decline in NG group at follow up (4 weeks). The NG group has got higher mortality 4 (17%) when compared to PEG group 2 (7%) due to aspiration pneumonia. Hence, PEG is better tolerated with lesser complications better nutritional support as assessed by the anthropometric parameters at 4 weeks.Conclusions: We conclude that whenever feasible percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding is a choice over nasogastric (NG) feeding in patients requiring long term enteral support.

Mortality and Institutionalization After Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Parkinson's Disease and Related Conditions.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) can facilitate feeding and medication administration in dysphagic patients with Parkinson's disease and related disorders. Information on survival, institutionalization, and complications post PEG might inform feeding decisions. A total of 93 patients with Parkinson's disease and related disorders were identified by review of PEG registers and by searching the administrative databases in 2 large UK university hospitals (2005-2017); 83 case notes were available for retrospective review. Care processes and outcomes were assessed. The following were the diagnoses: 58 (70%) had Parkinson's disease, 10 (12%) had progressive supranuclear palsy, 5 (6%) had multiple system atrophy, 3 (4%) had dementia with Lewy bodies, and 7 (8%) had vascular parkinsonism. The median age was 78 years (interquartile range 72-82); 29 (35%) were women. Care processes included a future care plan in place prior to admission for 18 patients (22%), and PEG was placed during emergency admission in 68 patients (82%). The outcomes included median survival at 422 days; 30-day mortality rate was 6% (5 patients); and of 56 patients admitted from home, 18 (32%) were discharged to institutions (nursing or care homes). The most common complication was aspiration pneumonia for 18 (22%) of patients. Age, sex, diagnosis, admission type, comorbidities, and place of residence did not predict survival. Discharge to own home and follow-up by the home enteral feeding team were associated with longer survival. We recommend markers of advanced disease should prompt advanced care planning. Discussions about PEG feeding should include information about post-PEG survival, complications, and risk of institutionalization. Further research is needed on quality-of-life post PEG and ways to reduce aspiration pneumonia. All PEG patients should have nutrition team follow-up.

To PEG or not to PEG that is the question.

Nutrition support involves the use of oral supplements, enteral tube feeding or parenteral nutrition. These interventions are considered when oral intake alone fails to meet nutritional requirements. Special diets and oral supplements are usually the first approach to managing malnutrition; however, their role becomes limited when oral intake is restricted or if swallowing is unsafe. Enteral tube feeding or parenteral nutrition are alternative means of providing nutrition support for this select group of patients. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding was introduced into clinical practice in 1980. It describes a feeding tube placed directly into the stomach under endoscopic guidance. It is an established means of providing enteral nutrition to those who have functionally normal gastrointestinal tracts, but who cannot meet their nutritional requirements due to inadequate oral intake. The intervention is usually reserved when nutritional intake is likely to be inadequate for more than 4-6 weeks. Although the benefits of PEG have been shown for a select group of patients, there currently exists concerns about the increasing frequency of this intervention, and also uncertainty about the long-term benefits for certain patients. The 2004 UK National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death report emphasised this concern, with almost a fifth of PEG being undertaken for futile indications that negatively influenced morbidity and mortality. The present review paper discusses the indications for, controversies surrounding and complications of gastrostomy feeding and provides practical advice on optimising patient selection for this intervention.

A Descriptive Study of enteral tube feeding among adults in an acute care tertiary hospital-patient selection, characteristics and complications

It is vital to develop a better understanding of the use of different modalities for enteral feeding and its associated complications, given differences in funding support, community resources and infrastructure available to support home enteral feeding in an acute care tertiary hospital. To provide a description of the clinical characteristics of patients on long-term enteral feeding and incidence of associated complications. A retrospective case records review study design was adopted. Medical records of patients discharged from a tertiary hospital with long-term nasogastric tube (NGT) or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding for the first time during the period of January 2010 to June 2017 were reviewed. Data collected include patient's demographics, reason for enteral feeding, morbidity and nutritional status upon initiation of NGT and PEG feeding, readmission episodes and documented complications (associated with enteral feeding) within one-year post discharge. Records of 120 NGT and 118 PEG patients were analysed. Significant age and gender differences were found with older patients being more likely to be placed on NGT [NGT (Mean 79.1, SD 11.3) vs. PEG (Mean 67.1, SD 12.6)] and higher number of females in the NGT group as compared to the PEG group (NGT 59.2% vs. PEG 31.4%). Majority of patients were fed by caregivers in the NGT (99.2%) as compared to the PEG (51.7%) group. Patients with cancer were more likely to be on PEG feeding (NGT 5%, PEG 70.3%), whereas patients with stroke-related diagnoses were more likely to be on NGT feeding (NGT 48% vs. PEG 8.5%). The total Charlson Comorbidity score was also significantly different between the NGT (mean=5.7; SD=1.5) and PEG (mean=4.5; SD=2.0) groups. A higher number of patients with PEG feeding had no complications (47.5%) as compared to the NGT group (8.3%). Patients who received NGT feeding were more likely experience tube blockage [OR 0.03, 95% CI (0.001-0.72), p=0.03], secondary displacement of tube [OR 0.04, 95% CI (0.002-0.72), p=0.03] and accidental tube removal [OR 0.03, 95% CI (0.004-0.21), p< 0.001]. Overall, patients who received NGT feeding experienced more complications than those who had PEG feeding. The choice for NGT or PEG feeding may be influenced by patient related factors as well as the presence of caregivers, which need to be considered in the improvement of enteral nutrition services in the local context.

USING SILDENAFIL TO TREAT A DOG WITH IDIOPATHIC MEGAESOPHAGUS

A 4-month old, male intact, mixed-breed dog was referred for sudden onset of regurgitation for two weeks. Thoracic radiographs revealed severe dilatation of esophagus with barium aspiration pneumonia. Idiopathic megaesophagus (IME) was diagnosed after serial laboratory, endoscopic and computed tomographic examinations. Symptomatic treatment including medication for pneumonia, feeding through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube with upright feeding position was performed at first, but regurgitation persisted. Sildenafil (1[Formula: see text]mg/kg, PO, BID) was then administrated for two weeks and regurgitation remitted one day after. Sildenafil was then tapered to half dose (0.5[Formula: see text]mg/kg, PO, BID) for another two weeks. During following-up thoracic radiography on 10 days after sildenafil administration, the degree of esophagus dilation significantly reduced. The clinical sign was completely resolved without relapse for more than 300 days. Sildenafil was reported having inhibitory effect of canine gastric contraction without affecting gastric emptying time. This effect could ameliorate persisting regurgitation after using PEG feeding directly into the stomach while bypassing the esophagus.

Association between delivery methods for enteral nutrition and physical status among older adults

BackgroundThe physical status of patients who received enteral nutrition is still unclear. We aimed to compare the physical functional status among older adult patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and those with nasogastric feeding.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study in an acute care hospital from August 1, 2009 to March 31, 2015. We included older adult patients (age ≥ 65 years) who were administered PEG or nasogastric feeding during hospitalization and received enteral nutrition for ≥14 days. We excluded patients who were completely bedridden at the administration of enteral nutrition. The primary outcome was death or becoming bedridden at discharge. The incidence of being bedridden among the patients who survived and received enteral nutrition at discharge was also compared according to the enteral nutrition method used.ResultsAmong the 181 patients who were administered enteral nutrition during hospitalization, 40 patients (22%) died and 66 patients (36%) were bedridden at discharge. The proportions of patients who fully resumed oral intake were 30% in the nasogastric group and 2.3% in the PEG group. The adjusted odds ratios comparing PEG feeding to nasogastric feeding were 0.38 (95% CI, 0.16–0.93) for death or being bedridden and 0.09 (95% CI, 0.02–0.40) for being bedridden among the patients who were receiving enteral nutrition at discharge.ConclusionsAmong older adult patients who were administered enteral nutrition, more than half of these patients died or became bedridden. PEG feeding could be associated with a lower risk of becoming bedridden or death in comparison with nasogastric feeding, although PEG feeding may be offered to the most mobile/ambulatory patients within clinical decision-making. Clinicians should carefully consider the administration and choice of enteral nutrition methods, when considering the prognosis of the patients.

Prevention of PEG Tube Misplacement in the Transverse Colon: Method of Introducing a Gastrografin into the Stomach

AIM: A colocutaneous fistula is a rare late complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding placement that occurs as a result of the interposition of the colon between the anterior abdominal and gastric walls. In the current study, we sought to retrospectively study the method of introducing the water-soluble contrast agent into the stomach by using a nasogastric tube before PEG feeding placement, with the intention to develop a method to prevent PEG-related colocutaneous fistula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2003 and April 2020, 341 patients underwent PEG placement at Seiwa Memorial Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: 232 patients in Group A were given water-soluble contrast agent and 109 patients in Group B were not. All patients underwent PEG using introducer method placement after gastropexy under fluoroscopy. RESULTS: In Group A, 139 (59.9%) patients received PEG with a water-soluble contrast agent placed into the transverse colon, 75 (32.3%) received PEG with gas in the colon, and 7 (3.0%) patients received surgical gastrostomy. In Group B, 38 (34.8%) patients received PEG with gas in the colon, 60 (55.1%) patients received PEG with finger palpation and transillumination, and 10 (9.2%) patients received surgical gastrostomy. Colocutaneous fistula was not observed in either group, but there was a significant difference in the frequency of surgical gastrostomy between Group A and B ( p = 0.0148). CONCLUSION: The use of water-soluble contrast agent in the stomach was safe, reliable, and cost effective for PEG tube placement, and is recommended to decrease surgical gastrostomy.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: healing by secondary intention, local flap or free flap

The goal of any oncological therapy should be to achieve long-term disease-free survival while minimising acute and late toxicities. One of the goals of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) resection is to obtain negative margins around the primary tumour with minimal functional morbidity. The aim of this study was to assess the functional morbidity of TORS and evaluate the post-operative pain and functional outcomes 6 months after TORS for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in reconstructed and non-reconstructed patients. We retrospectively reviewed 64 patients with head and neck SCCs resected by TORS from 2008 to December 2017 in our institution. The tumour localisation, pathologic T classification, defect size, reconstructive method, wound healing time, complications, post-operative pain and functional outcomes at 6 months were statistically evaluated (Table 1). Fifty-four resections healed by secondary intention, and 4 patients were reconstructed with a local flap and 6 with a free flap. No flap loss was encountered, while two cases of flap dehiscence that needed surgical revision and one case of partial necrosis were recorded. Eight patients had post-operative oral bleeding from the primary tumour resection field with an average bleeding time of 6.2 days. All bleeding occurred in patients with secondary healing of the defect after tumour excision, while no oral bleeding was recorded in patients with flap reconstructions. The pain scores in the first 3 post-operative days were 8 ± 1.2 for the secondary healing wounds and 6.2 ± 1.5 for the flap reconstructions. From day 4 to day 10, the mean VAS score was 5.7 ± 1.2 for the secondary healing wounds and 5.5 ± 1.2 for the flap reconstructions. The average wound healing time was 21.3 days in the secondary healing wound patients and 14.5 days in the reconstructed patients. At the 6-month follow-up, 63 out of the 64 patients recovered oral feeding and comprehensive locution, and only one patient experienced severe post-operative dysphagia and needed a permanent tracheostomy tube and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding. In this retrospective study, the functional morbidity and complications of TORS for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma resection were favourable in reconstructed and non-reconstructed patients. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study.

Evaluation of burden and depression among caregivers of stroke patients: The role of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tube

Malnutrition problems are very common after a stroke. Several clinical studies have shown the contribution of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding after stroke in terms of improving nutritional status and reducing mortality. The aim of this study is to compare the burden and depression among caregivers of ischemic stroke patients fed with PEG and orally. A total of 63 caregivers of patients with acute ischemic stroke who were followed up in the neurointensive care unit with modified Rankin Scale 4 or 5 were recruited in this cross-sectional survey. Clinical data of patients and demographical profile as age, gender, kinship to patient, income, and level of education of caregivers were recorded. On their 3rd-month follow-up visit, Beck Depression Inventory and The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) were administered to caregivers to evaluate depressive symptoms and caregiver burden. A semi-structured questionnairre was developed and conducted by the researchers with the caregivers to assess their thoughts of nutrition. Thirty-two caregivers of stroke patients on PEG and 31 caregivers of stroke patients who were fed orally were evaluated. The groups did not differ statistically in terms of demographic variables and depression scores (p>0.05). However, the mean score of ZBI was significantly higher in the group of caregivers of stroke patients who were fed orally (p=0.00). Caregivers of stroke patients on PEG had higher scores of caregivers' thoughts of nutrition support therapy questionnairre (p=0.00). Our findings demonstrate that caregivers of stroke patients report lower burden and higher level of positive thinking with PEG feeding than oral feeding. This suggests that nutritional care could include convenient and practicable methods for caregivers of patients with stroke in order to meet patients' nutritional requirements.