Scheduled percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube replacement did not reduce PEG-related complications

Abstract

Background

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube insertion is used for enteral nutrition. Each manufacturer has its own instructions for planned tube replacement. Accordingly, caregivers have adopted the policy of elective change at a fixed period of time (3–6 months).

Aim

The current study aimed to assess whether retained PEG for more than 6 months was associated with a higher rate of PEG-related complications.

Methods

A retrospective single-center study included all patients who underwent PEG insertion were included in the study.

Results

Overall, 303 patients were included, 48 patients (16.2%) had PEG tube replacement. Peristomal PEG tube leak was the commonest complication, occurring in 20 patients (41.7%), followed by dislodgement in 18 patients (37.5%) and obstruction in 10 patients (20.8%). Among the patients with a leak, it occurred within and beyond 6 months from PEG insertion in 40 and 60% of patients, respectively (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.21–2.18, p = .57). Similarly, 50% of patients had PEG tube obstruction within 6 months and 50% had it beyond 6 months from insertion (OR 1.46, 95% CI 0.34–6.26, p = .72). Moreover, there was no difference in PEG dislodgement after PEG insertion within or beyond 6 months (nine patients, 50% vs. nine patients, 50%), respectively, (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.42–4.47, p = .76).

Conclusion

Retained PEG tubes for more than 6-months were not associated with more PEG-tube-related complications.

Keywords:

• PEG
• longevity
• complications
• replacement

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest regarding this manuscript.

Author contributions

Tawfik Khoury and Wisam Sbeit contributed to concept and study design. All authors contributed to data collection and interpretation. Tawfik Khoury and Wisam Sbeit contributed to data interpretation and wrote the draft of the manuscript. All authors approved the final version to be published.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.