TECHNIQUE AND COMPLICATIONS OF PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY INCHILDREN

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is now a well-established te chnique in children. In this study of 63 children (mean age 7.8 years, youngest 2.4 months), technical problems associated with insertion of the gastrostomy tube, and complications related to the procedure, wer e analysed. Complications included wound infection, oesophageal injury (probably sustained during extraction of the guide wire) and symptoma tic gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) occurring after PEG insertion. Man y of these complications can be avoided or reduced in likelihood by re finements to the technique of insertion.