FEEDING GASTROSTOMY - A REAPPRAISAL

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 48  (6) , 273-275
Abstract
A retrospective review of 67 patients undergoing feeding gastrostomy for nutritional support over a 10-yr period disclosed a 30 day mortality rate of 30% following this procedure. Patients with head and neck carcinoma and those patients who were not in a coma at the time of the procedure enjoyed extended and useful long-term survival. Patients who were in a coma at the time of the procedure had similar mortality rates, but no patient regained consciousness afterward despite survival times of > 1 yr. Feeding gastrostomy in comatose patients apparently is a questionable procedure and one which is unlikely to benefit the patient. It would appear that the only present day rationale for the performance of a feeding gastrostomy in comatose patients lies in the facilitation of their nursing care and their transfer to a chronic care facility.

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