NEW TECHNIQUE AND MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR PERCUTANEOUS NONENDOSCOPIC TUBE GASTROSTOMY

A percutaneous nonendoscopic gastrostomy tube placement device and a n ew technique for nonendoscopic gastric feeding tube placement were dev eloped for use in animals weighing < 15 kg. After a successful experim ental trial in 7 cats, the tube placement device was used in 8 clinica l animals (7 cats and 1 dog). All gastrostomy feeding tubes were place d on the first attempt within 10 minutes. Position of the tube was eva luated by endoscopy in 14 of 15, by radiography in 4 of 15, and by cel iotomy and necropsy in 2 of 15 animals, respectively. Placement was co mparable to the percutaneous endoscopic technique in all but 1 cat. In this animal, the tube had to be placed exiting the shin in a caudoven tral location because of severe panniculitis. Complications related to the use of the tube placement device were not observed. Complications related to gastrostomy tube management developed in 5 of 15 animals. The prevalence of clinically important or life-threatening complicatio ns (peritonitis or premature removal) was 3 of 15.