STANDARDIZED TECHNIQUE OF PERCUTANEOUS EN DOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY (PEG)

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the procedure of choice f or long-term enteral alimentation in patients with swallowing disorder s. We use the pull-through technique with a 15-Freka PEG tube: (1) Gas troscopy, extension of the stomach and visualizing of anterior gastric wall; (2) Disinfection and local anesthesia of puncture site; (3) Per cutaneous puncture and insertion of a thread, retrieval through the or ifice; (4) PEG tube placement by pulling the thread with the tube conn ected through the stoma; (5) Gentle approximation of gastric and abdom inal wall avoiding traction; (6) Daily check of the stoma region. Gene rally, PEG is a low risk and low cost procedure for securing long-term enteral tube feeding. Major complications are rare and we believe, th ey are caused mainly by avoidable technical problems.