Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Experience: Early and Late Complications

Background This study retrospectively evaluated the early and late complications of patients who had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placed, discussed complication frequency of different diseases and finally pointed on some advices to reduce complications. Methods The study was conducted with 99 patients who had a PEG tube placed in the endoscopy unit of a training and research hospital. Patients’ age, gender, diagnosis, types of early and late complications, and complication development rates were evaluated. Results Mean age of the patients was 70.42±16.75(18-94) years and 48.5% were male. Early complications occurred in 11.1%, of which 6.05% were bleeding at the entry site of the PEG tube, and 5.05% were peristomal infection. 39.4% of the patients had late complications, including tube dislodgement in 18%, infection in 8.1%, aspiration pneumonia in 7.1% and other complications in 6%. No complications were observed in 51.5% of the patients, and early or late complications were observed in 48.5% of the patients. 2% of the patients had both early and late complications. The incidence of late complications was significantly higher in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (p=0.027). Conclusion In the follow-up of patients who had a PEG tube placed in the previous six months, the most common early complication was bleeding in 6.05%, and the most common late complication was tube dislodgement in 18%. Despite its potential complications, the PEG tube is a safe method for long-term enteral feeding. Alzheimer patients are at risk for late complications more than other diseases.