PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY IN NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION - A REPORT OF 6 CASES

Purpose : This study reports the cases of six patients with severe chr onic neurological disability and swallowing difficulties due to trauma tic brain injury (TBI), anoxia and multiple sclerosis (MS). Method: Th e patients required nutritional supplement through percutaneous endosc opic gastrostomy (PEG). Results: Their clinical follow-up showed a dec rease of intercurrent medical complications, especially pressure sores . In addition, an improvement of oropharyngeal function was observed i n some patients, also accompanied by slightly better basic psychomotor functions such as vigilance, sustained attention and tone or motor co ntrol. However, not every patient did improve with this procedure. The two MS patients benefited most, while the improvement was less homoge nous in the three TBI patients. Conclusions: The advantages of PEG ove r nasogastric tube on oropharyngeal function can be related to the abs ence of pharyngeal irritation and its role in overall recovery could b e due to an increase in social activities, a control of infections, a better rehabilitation schedule and a long-term effect on brain functio n due to better nutritional support.