PERCUTANEOUS GASTROSTOMY WITH T-FASTENER GASTROPEXY - RESULTS OF 316 CONSECUTIVE PROCEDURES

PURPOSE: To assess the rates of technical success and complications as sociated with radiologic gastrostomy or gastrojejunostomy performed wi th T-fastener gastropexy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 316 consecutive pa tients, radiologic gastrostomy or gastrojejunostomy with T-fastener ga stropexy was performed over a 10-year period. Results of the procedure s were reviewed. Results of follow-up were available for all patients. RESULTS: Of 316 procedures, 314 were successful (technical success ra te, 99.4%). Six (1.9%) major complications occurred; 50% occurred in p atients with peritoneal involvement from ovarian carcinoma. Ten (3.2%) minor complications occurred, Four minor complications occurred in pa tients with ovarian cancer and ascites, The 30-day mortality rate was 3.8% (12 patients) with one procedure-related death (0.3%). CONCLUSION : A T-fastener gastropexy may have a protective role in prevention of leakage of gastric contents into the peritoneum in patients with ascit es. Ascites need no longer be considered a contraindication for radiol ogic gastrostomy. A gastropexy enables routine use of larger gastrosto my tubes and ready replacement of a displaced tube even before the dev elopment of a mature tract.