PERCUTANEOUS FLUOROSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY - A SAFE OPTION

Objective: To assess the safety of percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrosto my (PFG) tube insertion for enteral nutrition. Design and setting: The records of 70 consecutive patients who had a PFG procedure at a terti ary referral hospital (Princess Alexandra Hospital) were analysed retr ospectively. Main outcome measure: Incidence of morbidity and mortalit y from PFG. Results: Sixty-nine of 70 procedures were successfully per formed. There were two deaths secondary to aspiration pneumonia and a morbidity rate of 13%. These figures are comparable with results from other series. Conclusion: PFG is a safe, effective procedure for enter al nutrition.