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Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy by Editorial Staff and Contributors

Definition | Reasons for Procedure | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor

Definition

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a procedure that places a tube through the abdominal wall and into the stomach.

Reasons for Procedure

A gastrostomy tube provides an alternative feeding site. It may be needed to:

Feed a person who has a hard time sucking or swallowing
Drain the stomach of fluids that have built up

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have a PEG, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

PEG tube malfunction
Aspiration—accidental sucking into the airways of fluid, food, or any foreign material
Damage to other organs
Inflammation of the lining of the abdomen
Infection
Bloating
Nausea
Diarrhea
Irritation of skin near the tube
Death

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

Obesity or diabetes
Smoking
Alcohol abuse or drug use
Use of certain prescription medicines
Prior abdominal surgeries
Advanced age

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do the following:

Physical exam
Medical history
Review of medicines
Blood and urine tests
X-rays of the abdomen
Endoscopic examination of stomach—An endoscope is long tube with a camera at the end that can be put down the throat into the stomach.

Leading up to your procedure:

Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, such as:
- Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs
- Blood thinners, such as clopidogrel (Plavix) or warfarin (Coumadin)
Do not eat or drink for at least eight hours before the procedure.
Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital.

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia—usually a lidocaine spray to numb the throat
Pain medicine is usually given through a vein in your arm
Sedative—to help you relax

Description of the Procedure

You will be given antibiotics for the procedure.

An endoscope is a long thin tool with a light and camera. It will be inserted through your mouth, down your throat, and into your stomach. The camera will send images to a video monitor. The doctor will use the images to find the right spot to insert the PEG feeding tube.

A needle will be inserted through the abdominal wall and into the stomach at the chosen spot. Using the endoscope, the doctor will locate the end of the needle inside the body. A thin wire will be passed from the outside of the body, through this needle, and into the stomach. This wire will be grasped with a snare in the abdomen and pulled out through the mouth. There will be a thin wire entering the front of the abdomen, going into the stomach, and continuing up and out of the mouth. The PEG feeding tube will then be attached to this wire. The wire will be pulled back out from the abdomen. This will pull the PEG tube down into the body.

A small incision will be made in your abdomen. The tube will be pulled until the tip comes out of the incision in the abdominal wall. A soft, round bumper will be attached to the ends of the PEG tube. It will keep the tube secure. Sterile gauze will be placed around the incision site. The PEG tube will be taped to your abdomen.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Procedure

How Long Will It Take?

30-45 minutes

Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. You may feel some discomfort. For a couple of days after the procedure, you may have minor pain and soreness at the incision site. This may feel like a pulled muscle. Your doctor can prescribe medicine to relieve this discomfort.

Average Hospital Stay

The usual length of stay is one day. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise.

Post-procedure Care

When resting in bed, keep legs elevated and moving to avoid blood clots.
Do not smoke.
Take prescription pain medicine as instructed. Avoid taking aspirin or aspirin-containing products unless instructed otherwise.
To promote healing, resume normal activities as soon as possible.
Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Learn to feed yourself properly through the PEG feeding tube:
- You will receive fluids through an IV for a day or two. Then, you will start to get clear liquids through the PEG tube. If this works well, you will start a formula feed through the tube.
- A dietitian will teach you how to use your PEG tube. She will also teach you how to choose an appropriate tube-feeding formula.
- Remain upright for 30-60 minutes after eating.
Learn the proper care of your PEG tube.
- Change the sterile gauze pads around the incision site regularly.
- Wash the PEG tube and the skin around it regularly to avoid infection.
- Learn how to empty your stomach through the tube.
- Learn how to recognize and handle problems like a blocked tube or a tube that falls out of place.
- Tape the tube site when it is not in use to prevent dislodging.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
Problems with the function of the tube or drainage around the tube
Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
Headaches, muscle aches, dizziness, or general ill feeling
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, or abdominal swelling

In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy http://www.asge.org
Oral Cancer Foundation http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Dietitians of Canada http://www.dietitians.ca
Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

References:

Avitsland TL, Kristensen C, Emblem R, et al. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children: a safe technique with major symptom relief and high parental satisfaction. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2006;43:624-628.
Ljungdahl M, Sundbom M. Complication rate lower after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy than after surgical gastrostomy: a prospective, randomized trial. Surg Endos. 2006;20:1248-1251.
Overview—percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/Percutaneous_Endoscopic_Gastrostomy_PEG/hic_Percutaneous_Endoscopic_Gastrostomy_PEG.aspx. Accessed June 13, 2008.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). American College of Gastroenterology website. Available at: http://www.gi.org/patients/gihealth/peg.asp. Accessed June 21, 2009.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy website. Available at: http://www.asge.org/PatientInfoDefault.aspx?id=364. Accessed June 13, 2008.
6/2/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us: Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.e8.

Last reviewed October 2012 by Marcin Chwistek, MD

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