FLUOROSCOPICALLY GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS GASTROSTOMY - CURRENT STATUS

The authors review the current status of fluoroscopically guided percu taneous gastrostomy (FGPG). The indications for this procedure have be en expanded since the technique was first described over a decade ago. There are few contraindications to FGPG, although modifications are r equired in some situations. The procedure involves placing a feeding t ube into the stomach by a modified Seldinger technique. According to t he literature, most interventionalists do not routinely employ gastrop exy. The insertion of gastrojejunostomy feeding tubes rather than gast rostomy feeding tubes to reduce gastroesophageal reflux remains contro versial. Complications after FGPG are rare. Feeding tubes inserted in this manner allow satisfactory establishment and maintenance of entera l feeding. The technique compares favourably with other methods of ins erting gastrostomy tubes.