Enteral nutrition via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and nutritional status of patients: Five‐year prospective study

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Abstract
Background:  Since it was described in 1980, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has been a widely used method for insertion of a gastrostomy tube in patients who are unable to swallow or maintain adequate nutrition. The aim of the present paper was to determine the complications of PEG insertion and to study pre‐ and post‐procedural nutritional status.Methods:  During the period of March 1999–September 2004, placement of PEG tube was performed in 85 patients (22 women and 63 men). Patient nutritional status was assessed before and after PEG insertion via anthropometric measurements.Results:  The most frequent indication for PEG insertion was neurological disorders (65.9%). Thirty patients died due to primary disease and two patients due to PEG‐related complications within 5 years. There were 14 early complications in 10 patients (15.2%; Conclusion:  Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a minimally invasive gastrostomy method with low morbidity and mortality rates, is easy to follow up and easy to replace when clogged.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd