Gastrostomy: Its Use and Dangers in Pediatric Patients

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Abstract
GASTROSTOMY is usually performed for one of two reasons: for gastric decompression after gastrointestinal and other major abdominal operations; or for feeding in patients who are unable to take food by mouth. The safety and applicability of gastrostomy in the pediatric surgical patient have been appreciated.1 2 3 4 5 Other reports, however, have stressed a high mortality and morbidity attributable to gastrostomy in infants.6 , 7 As a result, some surgeons hesitate to use gastrostomy in the small surgical patient.Although gastric decompression or feeding can usually be accomplished by a nasogastric tube, there are several reasons for preferring a gastrostomy. In the first place, . . .

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