Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy In Children Research Articles

Medical and Socioeconomic Impact of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children with Neurological Swallowing Difficulties

Medical and Socioeconomic Impact of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children with Neurological Swallowing Difficulties

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children receiving peritoneal dialysis: A tertiary centre long-term experience and literature review.

Children with severe chronic kidney disease receiving maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD) are often malnourished and may require nutritional supplementation. Recent PD guidelines address laparoscopic and open surgical gastrostomy as safe approaches in children established on PD, while existing evidence on percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is still lacking; as well as the role of perioperative antibiotic and antifungal prophylaxis. Hence, this study aimed to report our experience with PEG placement in patients on PD and compare it with the available literature. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records from patients on PD, who underwent PEG placement at a tertiary referral centre between 2000 and 2020. Data on perioperative management, complications and outcomes were retrieved. An extensive literature search was performed; studies describing PEG placement and perioperative prophylaxis in patients on PD were used as a comparison. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted. Seven patients (five males) were included. Perioperative antibiotic and antifungal prophylaxis were standard practice. At a median follow-up of 27 months (10-75), the peritonitis rate was 0.2 patient/years. No statistical significance was found between the peritonitis rate before and after PEG placement (p = 0.2). Patients' demographics and postoperative complications were comparable to the reported studies. Based on our experience, our technique of PEG insertion with antimicrobial prophylaxis is feasible and associated with an acceptable complication risk in patients on PD. Further multicentric studies about surgical technique in patients on PD will be necessary to verify the feasibility of PEG and standardise the perioperative protocol.

Safety and Effectiveness of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children

Objective: To determine the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in Paediatrics population. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Pak Emirates Military hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Mar 2014 till Dec 2017. Methodology: Total 40 children who underwent percutaneous gastrostomy at the Paediatric gastroenterology department were included in the study. Patients were followed up for a period for 6 months. Demographic data, indications, weight gainand complications were noted for 6 months after the procedure. Results: Forty patients were enrolled and there were 23(57.5%) males with mean age of 39.8±20.2 months. Swallowing difficulty 23(47.5%) was the major indication followed by poor weight gain 10(25%), prolonged nasogastric tube feeding8(20%) and frequent aspirations 3(7.5%). Majority 32(80%) had underlying diagnosis of cerebral palsy. In six months follow up, 38(95%) children had an increment in weight (mean weight gain 1.89±1.0Kg). Early feed at 6 hours after procedure was tolerated by 38(95%) of patients. The majority of children did not have any complications and only few were observed to havewound infection, vomiting, and irritability in 3(7.50%), 1(2.50%) and 3(7.50%) respectively. Conclusion: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement is a minimally invasive, safe and effective feeding technique for neurologically impaired children, especially cerebral palsy patients requiring long term assisted feeding.

Complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children: a single-center experience

Purpose: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is the most preferred method for feeding in children with intact gastrointestinal system functions when oral nutrition is insufficient due to neurological, neuromuscular, or oncological diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the indications for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and associated complications in the patients we followed up.
 Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, the records of 130 patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for nutritional support between January 1st 2013- December 30th 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, indications, complications, and follow-up periods of the patients were examined.
 Results: Of the patients, 75 were male and 55 were female. The mean age of the patients was 48 months (min 1 month-max 211 months). The evaluation of the patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in terms of diagnosis revealed that 95 patients required nutritional support due to neuromotor retardation associated with neurological disease, 19 patients due to central nervous system tumor, and 13 patients due to metabolic disease. Considering complications, the most frequent minor complication was leakage in 11of the 33 patients, while the most frequent major complication was colonic fistulation in 6 of the 9 patients. Two patients required open surgery in the early period due to intra abdominal leak. 
 Conclusion: Although enteral nutrition with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube seems to be an appropriate and reliable method to meet the nutritional needs of pediatric patients who have normal digestive system functions but cannot be fed orally due to swallowing disorders, it is necessary to pay attention to its complications like any surgical procedure.

Complications of one-step button percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children.

To assess the complications of one-step button percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (B-PEG) and determine risk factors for developing stomal infections or gastropexy complications. A retrospective study of 679 children who underwent a B-PEG procedure in a single tertiary care center over a 10-year period to December 2020 was conducted. Patient characteristics, early complications (occurring ≤ 7days after the procedure), late complications (> 7days after the procedure), and outcomes were collected from medical records. A list of potential risk factors, including age at procedure, prematurity, underlying neurological disease, and undernutrition, was determined a priori. At least 1year of follow-up was available for 513 patients. Median follow-up duration was 2.8years (interquartile range 1.0-4.9years). Major complications were rare (< 2%), and no death was related to B-PEG. Early complications affected 15.9% of the study population, and 78.0% of children presented late complications. Development of granulation tissue was the most common complication followed in frequency by tube dislodgment and T-fastener complications. Only 24 patients (3.5%) presented stomal infections. Young age at the time of PEG placement (odds ratio (OR) 2.34 [1.03-5.30], p = .042) was a risk factor for developing peristomal infection. T-fastener migration occurred in 17.3% of children, and we found underlying neurological disease was a protective factor (OR 0.59 [0.37-0.92], p = .019). Conclusion: B-PEG is a safe method and associated with a low rate of local infection. However, T-fasteners are associated with significant morbidity and require particular attention in young and premature infants. What is Known: • Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the preferred method to provide long-term enteral nutrition in children to prevent malnutrition. The Pull-PEG method is still the most commonly used with complications , such as stomal infection. Since its description, only a few studies have reported postoperative complications of one-step button PEG (B-PEG). What is New: • T-fastener complications were not rare, and underlying neurologic disease was a protective factor. A very low rate of stomal infection was described, and young age at the time of PEG placement was a risk factor. The B-PEG is a safe method with fewer major complications than P-PEG in children.

Topical sucralfate for prevention of peristomal wound reaction related to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children: A randomized controlled trial.

There are no standard protocols for peristomal skin care in children with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes. This clinical study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical sucralfate as a prophylactic intervention in the peristomal wound reaction (PWR)/infection-associated PEG insertion in children. This study was a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial recruiting child under 18 years old who submitted for PEG insertion. Patients were randomly divided to receive topical sucralfate + peristomal wound care (intervention) or peristomal wound care alone (control). In the intervention group, the participants used topical 4% sucralfate cream four times a day for 2 months. Participants were assessed using the total peristomal infection score and PWR grading system at baseline week 1, and monthly up to 5 months after the initiation of the study. Forty-four children after PEG insertion were randomly assigned to two groups. Baseline characteristics of both groups were statistically similar (p > 0.05). Friedman test demonstrated statistically significant differences in grades of PWR during the follow-up period in the control group (p=0.01); while there was not significantly different in the intervention group (p=0.47). This finding suggests that the intervention had a prophylaxis effect. Also, there were statistically differences in the score of erythema (p=0.001) and exudate (p=0.06) at the seven-time points in the control group. Topical 4% sucralfate can be considered an affordable and available prophylactic treatment for reducing the PWR/infection associated with PEG insertion in children.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children: A tertiary center experience.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a common procedure in children. The outcomes of PEG could be affected by the associated disease. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes and safety of PEG tube placement in a tertiary care center with special attention to patients with cardiac disease, ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, or peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter. This retrospective study included 113 pediatric patients who had PEG tube insertion from 2011 to 2021. Eighteen patients (15.93%) had cardiac disease, five patients (4.42%) had PD catheters, and three patients (2.65%) had VP shunt. The median age was 3 years (interquartile range: 1-6), and females represented 55% of our patients. The weight ranged from 2.57 to 60 kg, and the most common indication for insertion was neurological disease (n=56; 49.56%). The median operative time was 30 (20-45) minutes. Pneumonia and vomiting were the most frequent complications (n=20, 17.7%). Thirty-day mortality occurred in four patients (3.54%) and 1-year mortality in 10 patients (8.85%). Nine patients (7.96%) required fundoplication, and four patients (3.53%) had tube removal and reinsertion. There was no association between weight and postoperative complications (odds ratio: 0.97; P=.48). There were no differences in postoperative complications among patients with cardiac diseases, PD catheters, and VP shunts. No complications were reported in patients with VP shunt. One patient with cardiac disease and one patient with PD catheter required fundoplication. Removal and reinsertion were needed in one patient with a PD catheter. PEG is feasible in low-weight infants with a low complication rate. The complication rate is low in patients with VP shunt, PD catheter, and cardiac patients.

Complications of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children: A Single Centre Experience

Complications of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children: A Single Centre Experience

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children: An Update to the ESPGHAN Position Paper.

The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) position paper from 2015 on percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) required updating in the light of recent clinical knowledge and data published in medical journals since 2014. A systematic review of medical literature from 2014 to 2020 was carried out. Consensus on the content of the manuscript, including recommendations, was achieved by the authors through electronic and virtual means. The expert opinion of the authors is also expressed in the manuscript when there was a lack of good scientific evidence regarding PEGs in children in the literature. The authors recommend that the indication for a PEG be individualized, and that the decision for PEG insertion is arrived at by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) having considered all appropriate circumstances. Well timed enteral nutrition is optimal to treat faltering growth to avoid complications of malnutrition and body composition. Timing, device choice and method of insertion is dependent on the local expertise and after due consideration with the MDT and family. Major complications such as inadvertent bowel perforation should be avoided by attention to good technique and by ensuring the appropriate experience of the operating team. Feeding can be initiated as early as 3 hours after tube placement in a stable child with iso-osmolar feeds of standard polymeric formula. Low-profile devices can be inserted initially using the single-stage procedure or after 2-3 months by replacing a standard PEG tube, in those requiring longer-term feeding. Having had a period of non-use and reliance upon oral intake for growth and weight gain-typically 8-12 weeks-a PEG may then safely be removed after due consultation. In the event of non-closure of the fistula the most successful method for closing it, to date, has been a surgical procedure, but the Over-The-Scope-Clip (OTSC) has recently been used with considerable success in this scenario. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory for the best possible treatment of children with PEGs. Morbidity and mortality are minimized through team decisions on indications for insertion, adequate planning and preparation before the procedure, subsequent monitoring of patients, timing of the change to low-profile devices, management of any complications, and optimal timing of removal of the PEG.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children: A single center experience in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives:To evaluate the demographic data and complications in children who had undergone percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) over 9 years period.Methods:The demographic data, complications, length of hospital admission related to PEG insertion and follow-up findings of 39 patients who had undergone percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy using the standard pull-through technique between 2011 and 2020 were examined. The study took place at the Gastroenterology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaResults:The most common indications of feeding with a gastrostomy tube include neurological diseases (n=30, 76.9%), followed by metabolic disorders (n=3, 7.69%), chronic diarrhea (n=2, 5.1%), chronic kidney diseases (n=2, 5.1%), cystic fibrosis (n=1, 2.56%), feeding aversion fibrosis (n=1, 2.56%). Out of the 39 patients, 20 (51%) did not have any complications. However, minor complication are expected. Most common complications included local infection (n=14, 35.89%) followed by granulation tissue (n=6, 15.38%), “buried bumper syndrome” developed in one.Conclusion:Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube is the desirable method for patients who are unable to feed orally, feeding is not adequate for demands, has special feeding requirements, or swallowing dysfunction. The technique has become more widespread because of its simplicity, safety, and low cost. Major complications are rare. The procedure is safe and effective and could be carried out by pediatric gastroenterologists after training.

Tertiary centre experience of laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children: A 9-year review.

Objectives: Laparoscopic-Assisted Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (LAPEG) is a wellrecognised technique used for the placement of gastrostomies in patients with complex medical conditions or postsurgical difficult anatomy. We introduced LAPEG in our centre to improve outcome and increase safety in our complex paediatric population. We aim to review the outcome and complications of LAPEG in children since our change in practice. Methods: A retrospective tertiary centre review over 9 years (September 2010- September 2019) was conducted. Children under 16 years undergoing LAPEG were reviewed for risk factors and major complications. Results: 76 patients were identified, 44 males. Median age was 1 year (1 month–14 years), median weight was 8.4 kg (2.8-33.9 kg). A third was less than 7 kg and a third were in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the time of the procedure. A quarter had underlying congenital heart disease, a quarter had previous abdominal surgery and 15% (11/76) had American Society of Anaesthesia score of 4. The median procedure time was 29 min (18-83 min). No patient required conversion into open surgery. There was no adjacent bowel or organ injury, fistula formation, intraperitoneal leek, bleeding and no complications requiring surgical intervention. Three patients (3.9%) experienced early tube dislodgement. All dislodged gastrostomies were successfully replaced at bedside. Conclusions: LAPEG in our study was a safe method for gastrostomy insertion particularly in our complex high-risk patients. The procedure’s high safety profile appears to stem out of direct visualization of the gastrostomy tube insertion process during the entire course of the procedure.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Paediatric studies on the role of antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of postoperative infections in children undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess if a single dose of co-amoxiclav before PEG can decrease the rate of peristomal wound and systemic infection in children. In this prospective, randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial, children undergoing PEG were randomized to antibiotic prophylaxis with co-amoxiclav versus placebo and the rate of local and systemic infections were assessed. Of the 106 patients considered for inclusion, 49 patients were randomized. In the per-protocol analysis, the occurrence of wound infection was 5% (1/20) in the antibiotic group and 21% (4/19) in the placebo group (P = 0.13, 16% difference in proportions, odds ratio [OR] 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02-1.9). The occurrence of systemic infection was 9% (2/22) in the antibiotic group and 27.2% (6/25) in the placebo group [P = 0.17, 18% difference in proportions, OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.06%-1.80%]. Similar results were obtained in intention-to-treat analysis. Interestingly, the overall infection rate was significantly higher in the placebo group as compared with the antibiotic group (40% vs 13.6%; P = 0.04) and the duration of hospital stay was significantly longer in the placebo group as compared with the antibiotic group (4.4 ± 1.6 vs 3.5 ± 1.05; P = 0.02). The number-needed-to-treat (NTT) to prevent 1 peristomal infection on average are 6.7 patients. A preoperative dose of co-amoxiclav reduces the overall infection rate and the duration of hospital stay. Our data suggest that antibiotic prophylaxis should be recommended in every children undergoing PEG placement.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children less than 10 kilograms: A comparative study.

Background/Aim:Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube (PEG) has replaced the standard open surgical gastrostomy for enteral nutrition. However, several complications were reported, especially in children less than 10 kg. Our objective was to report the outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children according to their weight.Patients and Methods:163 children had PEG tube insertion in our tertiary referral hospital from January 2007 to March 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to the weight; group I (less than 10 kg; n = 112) and group II (more than 10 kg; n = 51). Comparisons were made between the two groups for incidence of postoperative complications, the need for reintervention, 30-day, and 1-year mortality.Results:There were 51 males (45.5%) in group I and 27 in group II (52.9%) (P = 0.38). The mean weight at the time of endoscopy was 5.9 ± 1.53 and 17.3 ± 8.23 kg and the mean American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score was 2.6 ± 0.67 and 2.43 ± 0.57 in group I and II, respectively (P = 0.101). The most common associated condition was cerebral palsy (50 (44.6%) and 24 (47.1%) in group I and II, respectively; P = 0.77). The mean operative time was 30.28 ± 11.57 min in group I and 33.62 ± 23.36 min in group II (P = 0.221). Skin complications were the most commonly encountered complications of PEG, and 49% (n = 48) required the removal and replacement of the tube under general anesthesia in group I and 41% (n = 21) in group II (P = 0.84). There was no significant difference in the complication between groups.Conclusion:PEG is a safe technique in children less than 10 kg, and the complications rate is comparable with older children. The use of positive transillumination and small needle for measuring the distance between the skin and the stomach enhances the safety of the procedure. PEG should be considered in children less than 10 kg who need supportive or continuous enteral nutrition for different reasons.

Fluoroscopy-guided Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children: A Simple and Safe Technique.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a widely used minimally invasive procedure. However, PEG is difficult in neurologically impaired patients due to scoliosis with a high-riding stomach and intestinal dilatation. Fluoroscopy-guided PEG (F-PEG) is expected to avoid PEG-related complications such as intestinal injury and malpositioned tube placement. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of F-PEG in children. Twenty-one handicapped pediatric patients underwent F-PEG from January 2012 to December 2014 at our hospital. Among them, 6 had scoliosis, 7 had a high-riding stomach, and 3 had gastric volvulus. F-PEG was performed in all 21 patients without any major complications. The median procedure duration was 22 minutes. In 1 patient with severe scoliosis (Cobb angle, 118 degrees) and a high-riding stomach, F-PEG was safely performed. In conclusion, F-PEG is a simple and feasible technique, and can reduce the risk of PEG-related complications in handicapped pediatric patients.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children: a single center experience

The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic data and complication rates in children who had undergone percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in a three-year period in our Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and to interrogate parental satisfaction. The demographic data, complications and follow-up findings of the patients who had undergone percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy between March 2011 and March 2014 were examined retrospectively using medical files. Forty seven percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy related procedures were performed in 34 children during a three-year period. The median age of the patients was 2.25 years (3 months-16 years, first and third quartiles=1.0-6.0) and the mean body weight was 13.07±8.6 kg (3 kg-47 kg). Before percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy procedure, the mean weight z score was -2.26±1.2 (-5-0) and the mean height z score was -2.25±0.96 (-3.85-0.98). The follow-up mean height and weight Z scores at the 12(th) month after the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy procedure could be reached in 24 patients. A significant increase in the mean weight Z score from -2.41 to -1,07 (p=0.000) and in the mean height Z score from -2.29 to -1.99 (p=0.000) was found one year after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy catheter was placed in these 24 patients. Patients with neurological and metabolic diseases constituted the majority (64.7% and 26.5% respectively). Peritoneal leakage of food was detected in one patient and local stoma infections were detected in three patients after the procedure. During the follow up period, "Buried bumper syndrome" was observed in one patient. Following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, the number of patients using anti-reflux medication increased from 16 (47.1%) to 18 (52.9%) (p=0.62). One patient with cerebral palsy who had aspiration pneumonia after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertion had undergone Nissen fundoplication. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube was removed in a patient. The parents had positive views related with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy after the procedure. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a substantially successful and reliable method in infants as well as in children and adolescents. The parents had positive views related with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy after the procedure.

Experience with nutritional support using percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children with solid tumors (Experience of the Federal Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology named after Dmitriy Rogachev)

Children with malignancies have a high risk of developing inanition for a variety of reasons associated with both a tumor and the toxicity of performed therapy. Enteral feeding via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is one of the procedures to correction the nutritional status. The authors show the feasibility and safety of PEG in children with solid malignancies, as well as the possibility of using PEG in patients receiving the cycles of intensive chemoradiation therapy. The paper analyzes the case histories of patients undergoing PEG to correct the nutritional status, as well as indications for its application, complications, and efficiency of this technique. Furthermore, a procedure for gastrostoma application and the specific features of management in patients with PEG are described in detail.

ESPGHAN position paper on management of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children and adolescents.

This European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) position statement provides a comprehensive guide for health care providers to manage percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes in a safe, effective, and appropriate way. Relevant literature from searches of PubMed, CINAHL, and recent guidelines was reviewed. In the absence of evidence, recommendations reflect the expert opinion of the authors. Final consensus was obtained by multiple e-mail exchange and during 3 face-to-face meetings of the gastroenterology committee of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Endoscopically placed gastrostomy devices are essential in the management of children with feeding and nutritional problems. The article focuses on practical issues such as indications and contraindications. The decision to place an endoscopic gastrostomy has to be made by an appropriate multidisciplinary team, which then provides active follow-up and care for the child and the device.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children: Experience from Single Center of a Developing Country

Introduction: Nutrition is of paramount importance for adequate growth and development of a child. Various routes of providing enteral nutrition to a paediatric patient are by nasogastric, nasojejeunal and gastrostomy which can be placed surgically or endoscopically. The objectives of this study were to review cases with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) procedure and patient characteristics, indications, complications and outcome of PEG tube insertion in children at our center.Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study carried out in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, India for a period of two years from August 2010 to August 2012. It included patients in whom PEG tube were placed during the study period and have had at least one year of post procedure follow up. Demograhic details, duration of procedure, complications, initial weight and height and then at 3 month, 6 months and 12 months of PEG tube placement were also recorded. Data between groups was compared using ANOVA and within groups across follow-ups was done using paired t-test.Results: Fourty six PEG insertions were performed during the study period, 26 twenty six conversions to BRT or Mickey button and ten PEG removals. The main indications for PEG insertion were Cerebral palsy with feeding difficulty (47.8 %). Erythema at the PEG insertion site was the most common complication (21%). There was significant improvement in the weight and height in all age group of patients at 3, 6 and 12 months post procedure with a p value &lt;0.5. The average weight gain after 3, 6 and 12 months was 1.3 kg, 2.8 kg and 4.2 kg and the average height gain after 3, 6 and 12 months was 1.6 cm, 2.5 cm and 4.13 cm respectively.Conclusions: PEG is effective means for optimizing the nutritional goals of patients who are nutritionally debilitated with minimal complications. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v34i2.10960J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2014;34(2):125-131

PP065-MON: Insertion of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children – Outcomes of the First Romanian Experience

PP065-MON: Insertion of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children – Outcomes of the First Romanian Experience

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the preferred method to provide nutritional support for patients with normal gastrointestinal function but cannot be fed orally for a variety of reasons. Owing to safety concerns, the first feeding after PEG tube placement is generally delayed. Early feeding may be an option; however, childhood studies regarding early feeding after the PEG procedure are highly insufficient. A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted to compare early (4th hour) and late (12th hour) feeding after the PEG procedure. The PEG process was performed with the standard pull technique. Prophylactic antimicrobial drugs were not used. Complications such as gastric residue after feeding, vomiting, fever, systemic signs of infection, and duration of hospital stay were recorded. Tube feeding training was given to parents during their stay in the hospital in both groups. In the first and third days following PEG, the patients were visited by an experienced nurse in their homes and evaluated in terms of potential complications. The study was completed with a total of 69 patients: 35 in the early feeding group and 34 in the late feeding group. The demographic characteristics of the groups were similar. Vomiting was rare and detected as similar in both groups (early feeding group 8.5% [3/35], late feeding group 8.8% [3/34], P = 1.00). Rarely, minor gastric residue was observed in both groups (early feeding group 11.4%, late feeding group 8.8% [P = 1.00]). The amount of gastric residue in the early feeding group was a maximum of 13.2 mL, whereas the late feeding group had a maximum of 14.3 mL. The average duration of stay in the hospital for the early and late feeding groups was calculated as 6.7 ± 0.64 and 28.3 ± 3.74 hours, respectively (P < 0.001). Leakage from gastrostomy fistulas, peritonitis, and aspiration were not observed in any patients. The feeding at the fourth hour after PEG placement was safe and well tolerated by patients and shortened the duration of the hospital stay. The use of prophylactic antibiotics seems to be unnecessary before the procedure.