Recent Update of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is considered in patients requiring long-term enteral nutrition when gastrointestinal function is normal, but oral intake is insufficient. Nutrition by PEG is superior to nasogastric nutrition in terms of patient comfort, long-term use, and nutritional efficiency. However, it requires careful selection of target patients, appropriate insertion methods, and diligent monitoring to manage potential complications. It is essential to ensure proper administration of anticoagulants and antithrombotic agents before and after the procedure. Use of prophylactic antibiotics can reduce the risk of wound infections. Although most complications arising from PEG are minor, careful monitoring should always be undertaken because sometimes surgical treatment of the complication may be required, or it may even be serious and life-threatening. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the indications that require PEG, the method of insertion, the preparation process, and the complications that may occur during or after the PEG.