HOW TO AVOID COMPLICATIONS DURING PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has advantages over open gas trostomy, and is an accepted technique for children. However, a number of technical problems may be encountered during insertion. This repor t identifies those problems and proposes precautions that can be taken to reduce their likelihood. Recognized major complications include es ophageal injury, colonic perforation, wound infection, gastric erosion by the gastrostomy tube, and later symptomatic gastroesophageal reflu x requiring correction by fundoplication. Copyright (C) 1995 by W.B. S aunders Company