EVALUATION OF PERCUTANEOUS GASTROSTOMY AS A TECHNIQUE FOR PERMANENT GASTROPEXY

Objective- This study was designed to evaluate right-sided percutaneou s endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) as a method for creation of a permanent gastropexy. Study Design- Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy adhesio ns were evaluated by gross examination and by mechanical testing and t he results were compared with those obtained by conventional incisiona l gastropexy. Animals or Sample Population- Fourteen mixed-breed dogs. Methods- Incisional gastropexies were performed on the dogs of group one (N = 7) and PEG tubes were placed in the dogs of group 2 (N = 7). All skin sutures (group 1) and PEG tubes (group 2) were removed on day 14. The animals were maintained for an additional 44 days before euth anasia and immediate necropsy. Gastropexy adhesions were evaluated and collected for biomechanical evaluation using a materials testing mach ine. Results- The duration of the procedure for group 2 was less (32.8 6 min +/- 7.65) than for group 1 (56.29 min +/- 8.28). The number of c omplications was not significantly different between group 1 and group 2 (P = .103). Gastroperitoneal adhesions were present in 7 of 7 dogs in group 1 and 4 of 7 dogs in group 2. The adhesion lengths and widths were significantly larger in dogs in group 1 compared with those in g roup 2. The adhesions present in group 1 dogs sustained significantly greater tensile loads to failure (61.98 +/- 14.65 N), compared with th e adhesions present in group 2 dogs (22.31 +/- 26.87 N). Conclusions- Right-sided PEG inconsistently formed a weak gastropexy and the proced ure was associated with a trend toward greater morbidity than incision al gastropexy. Clinical Relevance- Right-sided PEG is not recommended as a means of prophylactic gastropexy. (C) Copyright 1997 by The Ameri can College of Veterinary Surgeons.