Percutaneous transesophageal gastric catheter removal and follow up: A case series

Percutaneous transesophageal gastric catheter (PTEG) placement is an alternative technique for gastric decompression in patients who require long-term venting with contraindication(s) to traditional gastrostomy access (percutaneous, endoscopic, or surgical), such as primary or metastatic gastric cancer, refractory ascites, or altered anatomy. Despite growing evidence supporting PTEG’s efficacy and safety especially for palliative care, literature on catheter removal, and follow-up is sparse. We present 4 cases of PTEG catheter removal in patients with malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) and contraindications to radiologic percutaneous gastrostomy (PG). Each case involved successful PTEG placement, followed by removal once symptoms resolved. Follow-up periods varied, with no reported complications postremoval and a median follow-up time of 599 (139-725) days. PTEG provides a viable alternative for patients requiring gastric decompression who are not candidates for PG. This case series demonstrates the safety and feasibility of PTEG catheter removal, even within the limitations of the sample size. This case series demonstrates that PTEG catheter removal after symptomatic relief of malignant bowel obstruction is safe. Further research is needed to better understand the long-term outcomes and to confirm these preliminary findings.