Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy after abdominal surgery

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has been established as a minimally invasive and safe procedure to provide nutritional support i n patients unable to swallow food properly. However, a relative contraindic ation for the procedure is the existence of previous abdominal surgery. Method: We described our experience in performing PEG on 37 patients who ha d undergone surgery for upper abdominal diseases 10 days to 25 years previo usly. This group of 37 patients, 22 of whom had been subjected to laparotom y in the previous 2 weeks, was compared with 291 patients who had an intact abdomen regarding failure of the procedure to be performed, major and mino r complications, and mortality. Results: The two groups were found to be comparable: failure rates of 2.71% (1/37) and 1.72% (5/291), no major complications, no mortality, minor comp lication rates of 2.77% (1/36) and 2.44% (7/286). Conclusions: The PEG procedure is associated with minimal risk even in pati ents previously subjected to upper abdominal surgery, as long as transillum ination of the stomach and finger palpation are seen clearly during endosco py.