Time trends and outcomes of gastrostomy placement in a Swedish national cohort over two decades

BACKGROUND Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG)and laparoscopically inserted gastrostomy have become the gold standard for adult patients and children,respectively,requiring long-term enteral nutrition support.Procedure-related mortality is a rare event,often reported to be zero in smaller studies.National data on 30-d mortality and long-term survival rates after gastrostomy placement are scarce in the literature.AIM To study the use of gastrostomies in Sweden from 1998-2019 and to analyze procedure-related mortality and short-term(<30 d)and long-term survival.METHODS In this retrospective,population-based cohort study,individuals that had received a gastrostomy between 1998-2019 in Sweden were included.Individuals were identified in the Swedish National Patient Register,and survival analysis was possible by cross-referencing the Swedish Death Register.The cohort was divided into three age groups:Children(0-18 years);adults(19-64 years);and elderly(≥65 years).Kaplan-Meier with log-rank test and Cox regression were used for survival analysis.RESULTS In total 48682 individuals(52%males,average age 60.9±25.3 years)were identified.The cohort consisted of 12.0%children,29.5%adults,and 58.5%elderly.An increased use of gastrostomies was observed during the study period,from 13.7/100000 to 22.3/100000 individuals(P<0.001).The use of PEG more than doubled(about 800 to 1800/year),with a corresponding decrease in open gastrostomy(about 700 to 340/year).Laparoscopic gastrostomy increased more than ten-fold(about 20 to 240/year).Overall,PEG,open gastrostomy,and laparoscopic gastrostomy constituted 70.0%(n=34060),23.3%(n=11336),and 4.9%(n=2404),respectively.Procedure-related mortality was 0.1%(n=44)overall(PEG:0.05%,open:0.24%,laparoscopic:0.04%).The overall 30-d mortality rate was 10.0%(PEG:9.8%,open:12.4%,laparoscopic:1.7%)and decreased from 11.6%in 1998-2009 vs 8.5%in 2010-2019(P<0.001).One-year and ten-year survival rates for children,adults,and elderly were 93.7%,67.5%,and 42.1%and 79.9%,39.2%,and 6.8%,respectively.The most common causes of death were malignancies and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.CONCLUSION The annual use of gastrostomies in Sweden increased during the study period,with a shift towards more minimally invasive procedures.Although procedure-related death was rare,the overall 30-d mortality rate was high(10%).To overcome this,we believe that patient selection should be improved.

Advances and challenges of gastrostomy insertion in children

When oral feeding cannot provide adequate nutritional support to children,enteral tube feeding becomes a necessity.The overall aim is to ultimately promote appropriate growth,improve the patient’s quality of life and increase carer satisfaction.Nasogastric tube feeding is considered appropriate on a short-term basis.Alternatively,gastrostomy feeding offers a more convenient and safer feeding option especially as it does not require frequent replacements,and carries a lower risk of complications.Gastrostomy tube feeding should be considered when nasogastric tube feeding is required for more than 2-3 wk as per the ESPEN guidelines on artificial enteral nutrition.Several techniques can be used to insert gastrostomies in children including endoscopic,image guided and surgical gastrostomy insertion whether open or laparoscopic.Each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages.The timing of gastrostomy insertion,device choice and method of insertion is dependent on the local expertise,patient requirements and family preference,and should be individualized with a multidisciplinary team approach.We aim to review gastrostomy insertion in children including indications,contraindications,history of gastrostomy,insertion techniques and complications.

胃腔内注入生理盐水辅助超声引导下经皮胃造瘘

肠内营养支持是维持长期无法经口进食患者有效营养的重要手段,不仅能提供代谢能量来源,还可防止肠道菌群移位^([1])。经皮胃造瘘操作简单、创伤小,已成为实施肠内营养支持的重要方法^([2]),但难以用于无法经口于内镜下行造瘘或病情较重不便于移动者。本研究观察胃腔内注入生理盐水用于辅助超声引导下经皮穿刺胃造瘘的效果。

Endoscopic vs radiologic gastrostomy for enteral feeding:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG)and percutaneous radiological gastrostomy(PRG)are minimally invasive techniques commonly used for prolonged enteral nutrition.Despite safe,both techniques may lead to complications,such as bleeding,infection,pain,peritonitis,and tube-related complications.The literature is unclear on which technique is the safest.AIM To establish which approach has the lowest complication rate.METHODS A database search was performed from inception through November 2022,and comparative studies of PEG and PRG were selected following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines.All included studies compared the two techniques directly and provided absolute values of the number of complications.Studies with pediatric populations were excluded.The primary outcome of this study was infection and bleeding.Pneumonia,peritonitis,pain,and mechanical complications were secondary outcomes.The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials(RoB2)and we used The Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies(ROBINS-I)to analyze the retrospective studies.We also performed GRADE analysis to assess the quality of evidence.Data on risk differences and 95%confidence intervals were obtained using the Mantel-Haenszel test.RESULTS Seventeen studies were included,including two randomized controlled trials and fifteen retrospective cohort studies.The total population was 465218 individuals,with 273493 having undergone PEG and 191725 PRG.The only outcome that showed a significant difference was tube related complications in retrospective studies favoring PEG(95%CI:0.03 to 0.08;P<0.00001),although this outcome did not show significant difference in randomized studies(95%CI:-0.07 to 0.04;P=0.13).There was no difference in the analyses of the following outcomes:infection in retrospective(95%CI:-0.01 to 0.00;P<0.00001)or randomized(95%CI:-0.06 to 0.04;P=0.44)studies;bleeding in retrospective(95%CI:-0.00 to 0.00;P<0.00001)or randomized(95%CI:-0.06 to 0.02;P=0.43)studies;pneumonia in retrospective(95%CI:-0.04 to 0.00;P=0.28)or randomized(95%CI:-0.09 to 0.11;P=0.39)studies;pain in retrospective(95%CI:-0.05 to 0.02;P<0.00001)studies;peritonitis in retrospective(95%CI:-0.02 to 0.01;P<0.0001)studies.CONCLUSION PEG has lower levels of tube-related complications(such as dislocation,leak,obstruction,or breakdown)when compared to PRG.

How far is the endoscopist to blame for a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy complication?

BACKGROUND Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG)is a well-established,minimally invasive,and easy to perform procedure for nutrition delivery,applied to individuals unable to swallow for various reasons.PEG has a high technical success rate of insertion between 95%and 100%in experienced hands,but varying complication rates ranging from 0.4%to 22.5%of cases.AIM To discuss the existing evidence of major procedural complications in PEG,mainly focusing on those that could probably have been avoided,had the endoscopist been more experienced,or less self-confident in relation to the basic safety rules for PEG performance.METHODS After a thorough research of the international literature of a period of more than 30 years of published“case reports”concerning such complications,we critically analyzed only those complications which were considered-after assessment by two experts in PEG performance working separately-to be directly related to a form of malpractice by the endoscopist.RESULTS Malpractice by the endoscopist were considered cases of:Gastrostomy tubes passed through the colon or though the left lateral liver lobe,bleeding after puncture injury of large vessels of the stomach or the peritoneum,peritonitis after viscera damage,and injuries of the esophagus,spleen,and pancreas.CONCLUSION For a safe PEG insertion,the overfilling of the stomach and small bowel with air should be avoided,the clinician should check thoroughly for the proper trans-illumination of the light source of the endoscope through the abdominal wall and ensure endoscopically visible imprint of finger palpation on the skin at the center of the site of maximum illumination,and finally,the physician should be more alert with obese patients and those with previous abdominal surgery.

“Timing of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in post-stroke patients does not impact mortality,complications,or outcomes”:Commentary

In this commentary,we summarize some of the key points of the original paper“Timing of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in post-stroke patients does not impact mortality,complications,or outcomes”and offer support for the proposed results.Specifically,we address how early percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG)tube placement may reduce hospital length of stay and costs.We also discuss topics related to the article including PEG weaning and post-stroke nutritional formulation.However,we note that concerns purported by previous studies that early PEG placement may worsen outcomes are not fully addressed,and further research is needed.

DSA机引导下经皮胃造瘘术治疗吞咽困难患者

回顾性分析莆田学院附属医院2018年5月—2022年5月利用数字减影血管造影(DSA)机引导行经皮胃造瘘术治疗41例吞咽困难患者的情况,统计分析手术成功率、并发症发生率及术前3 d、术后30 d、术后90 d患者的白蛋白(ALB)、总蛋白(TP)、前白蛋白(PA)、体重等指标,探讨DSA机引导下经皮胃造瘘术(Introducer法)治疗吞咽困难患者的安全性和有效性。结果表明,对41例患者实施DSA机引导下经皮胃造瘘术(Introducer法)均获得成功;3例患者出现并发症,并发症发生率为7.32%;术前3 d与术后30 d比较,患者的ALB、TP、PA、体重差异显著(P<0.05);术后30 d与术后90 d比较,各指标差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。说明DSA机引导下经皮胃造瘘术(Introducer法)成功率高,并发症发生率低,可以提高吞咽困难患者术后的营养指标,有较高的临床应用价值。

Introducer法经皮内镜下胃造瘘术对食管癌伴吞咽困难患者的效果

目的探讨Introducer法经皮内镜下胃造瘘术治疗食管癌伴吞咽困难患者的效果。方法选取河南科技大学第一附属医院微创肿瘤科2020年3月至2022年9月收治的96例食管癌伴吞咽困难患者作为研究对象,根据手术方式将患者分为Pull法组和Introducer法组各48例,分别用Pull法或Introducer法行经皮内镜下胃造瘘术建立肠内营养通路,对比两组患者造瘘管更换率、营养状况、炎症因子水平和并发症发生率。结果两组患者院外随访期间造瘘管更换率对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后,Introducer法组患者TSF、上臂肌围、FFMI、血红蛋白、白蛋白、前白蛋白水平均高于Pull法组(P<0.05);治疗后,Introducer法组IL-6水平、TNF-α水平均低于Pull法组(P<0.05);两组患者术后并发症总发生率对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论Introducer法经皮内镜下胃造瘘术可以改善食管癌伴吞咽困难患者的自身营养水平,降低炎症反应水平。

预防性经皮胃造瘘对口腔癌切除并同期修复重建术后术区感染影响的研究

目的:探究不同肠内营养方式对口腔癌根治性切除术并同期行修复重建术后术区感染的影响。方法:回顾性分析2018年1月~2023年1月就诊于新疆医科大学第一附属医院口腔颌面肿瘤外科接受口腔癌根治性切除术并同期行修复重建的患者的临床资料,根据给予的不同肠内营养方式,将纳入病例分为预防性经皮胃造瘘组(n=26)、鼻饲管组(n=54)及经口进食组(n=33)。比较3组患者手术治疗后术区感染率、皮瓣坏死率情况。结果:预防性经皮胃造瘘组患者术区感染率显著低于鼻饲管组和经口进食组(P<0.05);3组间皮瓣坏死率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后6周患者体重指数、总蛋白、白蛋白、肌酐、红细胞压积值与入院时测量的差值在3组间比较存在明显差异(P<0.01)。结论:预防性经皮胃造瘘可以有效降低口腔癌根治性切除术并同期行修复重建术后皮瓣感染率,值得临床推广。

术中多模式镇痛对终末期头颈部癌症患者开腹胃造瘘术后早期恢复质量的影响:前瞻性随机对照研究

目的评估术中多模式镇痛在终末期头颈部癌症患者开腹胃造瘘术后早期恢复中的作用。方法本研究为前瞻性、平行、随机对照研究,研究对象为2022年11月—2023年5月首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院择期行开腹胃造瘘术的终末期头颈部癌症患者。按1∶1比例随机将其分为局麻组和多模式镇痛组。局麻组术中予以0.25%罗哌卡因20~30 mL局部浸润麻醉;多模式镇痛组麻醉方式为神经阻滞+静脉镇痛:在超声引导下行左侧腹横肌平面阻滞(0.25%罗哌卡因0.3 mL/kg)+双侧腹直肌鞘阻滞(每侧注射0.25%罗哌卡因0.3 mL/kg)+静脉注射羟考酮0.1 mg/kg、氟比洛芬酯1 mg/kg和地塞米松0.2 mg/kg。主要结局指标为术后24 h 15项恢复质量量表(quality of requirements⁃15,QoR⁃15)评分,次要结局指标为术后48 h QoR⁃15评分,术后不同时间点静息时与运动时疼痛数字评定量表(numerical rating scale,NRS)评分和Bruggemann舒适量表(Bruggrmann comfort scale,BCS)评分,术后首次补救镇痛时间,首次下床活动时间,首次排气时间及术后48 h内不良反应发生率。结果最终入选符合纳入与排除标准的行开腹胃造瘘术终末期头颈部癌症患者46例,其中多模式镇痛组、局麻组均为23例。两组术前QoR⁃15评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),多模式镇痛组术后24 h[(81.77±8.91)分比(71.46±7.61)分,P<0.05]、48 h[(86.26±7.92)分比(80.13±6.98)分,P<0.05]QoR⁃15评分均高于局麻组,且术后24 h QoR⁃15评分差异具有临床意义。与局麻组比较,术后6 h、24 h时,多模式镇痛组静息时与运动时NRS评分降低,舒适度BCS评分升高(P均<0.05)。相较于局麻组,多模式镇痛组术后首次补救镇痛时间延后,术后48 h内补救镇痛发生率降低,术后首次下床活动时间与术后首次排气时间均提前(P均<0.05)。多模式镇痛组、局麻组不良反应发生率分别为8.70%、13.04%,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论术中多模式镇痛可减轻开腹胃造瘘术患者术后早期疼痛,提高舒适度,缩短术后下床活动时间和排气时间,继而提升术后早期恢复质量。

经皮内镜下胃造口术导管移位预防与管理的证据总结

目的 :总结关于预防和管理经皮内镜下胃造口术导管移位的证据,为临床医护人员管理经皮内镜下胃造口术导管提供参考。方法 :计算机检索Up ToDate、Embase、中国知网等国内外数据库中关于经皮内镜下胃造口术患者导管移位的文献,检索时限为建库至2023年4月1日,对纳入的文献进行质量评价,提取、整合形成证据。结果 :共纳入10篇文献,其中指南7篇、专家共识1篇、最佳实践1篇、临床决策1篇,从建立多学科管理团队、围手术期导管移位预防措施、术后管路管理、导管位置确定、导管移位处理、健康教育及随访,共6个方面总结出26条证据。结论 :所总结的关于预防和管理经皮内镜下胃造口术导管移位的证据可应用于临床实践,促进经皮内镜下胃造口术导管的规范化管理。

老年中晚期食管癌伴吞咽困难者行胃造瘘术对患者免疫功能、应激反应及营养状况的影响

目的探讨老年中晚期食管癌伴吞咽困难者行胃造瘘术对患者免疫功能、应激反应及营养状况的影响。方法回顾性分析2018年2月至2020年3月河北省退役军人总医院收治的84例老年中晚期食管癌伴吞咽困难患者的临床诊治资料。根据患者营养提供方式的不同分组,其中33例行支架置入术者作为A组,51例行胃造瘘术者作为B组。治疗前及术后1周比较两组患者外周血中免疫细胞转录因子表达量、血清炎症应激标志物水平、营养指标及并发症发生情况。结果术后1周,两组患者的T-bet表达量均较术前明显升高,且B组患者为(1.47±0.25),明显高于A组的(1.21±0.22),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);术后1周,两组患者GATA3和Foxp3表达量均明显下降,但B组患者分别为(0.73±0.08)、(0.54±0.11),明显低于A组的(0.92±0.09)、(0.81±0.15),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后1周,两组患者的去甲肾上腺素、皮质醇及C反应蛋白水平均明显升高,且B组患者分别为(56.02±14.96)ng/mL、(193.05±37.28)ng/mL、(7.33±1.88)μg/mL,明显低于低于A组的(71.93±13.27)ng/mL、(231.72±32.08)ng/mL、(9.14±2.06)ng/mL,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);术后1周,两组患者的白蛋白、前蛋白及血红蛋白水平均较术前下降,且B组患者分别为(33.95±2.95)g/L、(0.24±0.04)g/L、(115.81±8.75)g/L,明显高于A组的(30.16±3.04)g/L、(0.21±0.06)g/L、(109.42±9.83)g/L,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);A组患者的术后并发症发生率为21.21%,明显高于B组的5.88%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论胃造瘘术治疗老年中晚期食管癌伴吞咽困难患者能明显改善患者免疫功能水平,其能显著缓解患者应激水平,改善患者营养状态,同时还能明显缓解患者并发症,安全可靠。

基于SIBR模式经皮内镜下胃造口置管营养对重症脑卒中病人负氮平衡、营养状态及肠道菌群水平的影响

目的:探讨基于多学科结构化查房(SIBR)模式经皮内镜下胃造口置管营养对重症脑卒中病人负氮平衡、营养状态及肠道菌群水平的影响。方法:选取医院2020年12月-2022年12月98例重症脑卒中病人作为研究对象,采用抽签法分为常规组和模式组。常规组49例行常规肠内营养支持,模式组49例行基于SIBR模式的肠内营养支持,干预4周后比较两组病人负氮平衡、营养状态、肠道菌群水平、相关并发症发生情况。结果:模式组干预1~4周后负氮平衡水平均优于常规组(P<0.05)。干预2周后模式组血红蛋白(Hb)、白蛋白(ALB)、总蛋白(TP)、上臂三头肌肌围(AMC)水平高于常规组(P<0.05)。模式组干预2周后双歧杆菌、乳杆菌水平高于常规组;拟杆菌、肠球菌、大肠埃希菌水平低于常规组(P<0.05)。模式组并发症发生率为4.08%(2/49),与常规组[8.16%(4/49)]比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.678)。结论:基于SIBR模式经皮内镜下胃造口置管营养可改善重症脑卒中病人营养状态,调节肠道菌群水平,改善负氮平衡,有良好的安全性。

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy:Indications,technique,complications and management

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG)is the preferred route of feeding and nutritional support in patients with a functional gastrointestinal system who require long-term enteral nutrition.Besides its wellknown advantages over parenteral nutrition,PEG offers superior access to the gastrointestinal system over surgical methods.Considering that nowadays PEG tube placement is one of the most common endoscopic procedures performed worldwide,knowing its indications and contraindications is of paramount importance in current medicine.PEG tubes are sometimes placed inappropriately in patients unable to tolerate adequate oral intake because of incorrect and unrealistic understanding of their indications and what they can accomplish.Broadly,the two main indications of PEG tube placement are enteral feeding and stomach decompression.On the other hand,distal enteral obstruction,severe uncorrectable coagulopathy and hemodynamic instability constitute the main absolute contraindications for PEG tube placement in hospitalized patients.Although generally considered to be a safe procedure,there is the potential for both minor and major complications.Awareness of these potential complications,as well as understanding routine aftercare of the catheter,can improve the quality of care for patients with a PEG tube.These complications can generally be classified into three major categories:endoscopic technical difficulties,PEG procedure-related complications and late complications associated with PEG tube use and wound care.In this review we describe a variety of minor and major tube-related complications as well as strategies for their management and avoidance.Different methods of percutaneous PEG tube placement into the stomach have been described in the literature with the"pull"technique being the most common method.In the last section of this review,the reader is presented with a brief discussion of these procedures,techniques and related issues.Despite the mentioned PEG tube placement complications,this procedure has gained worldwide popularity as a safe enteral access for nutrition in patients with a functional gastrointestinal system.

Laparoscopy-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy enables enteral nutrition even in patients with distorted anatomy

AIM:To analyzed whether laparoscopy-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG)could be a valuable option for patients with complicated anatomy.METHODS:A retrospective analysis of twelve patients(seven females,five males;six children,six young adults;mean age 19.2 years)with cerebral palsy,spastic quadriparesis,severe kyphoscoliosis and interposed organs and who required enteral nutrition(EN)due to starvation was performed.For all patients,standard PEG placement was impossible due to distorted anatomy.All the patients qualified for the laparoscopyassisted PEG procedure.RESULTS:In all twelve patients,the laparoscopy-assisted PEG was successful,and EN was introduced four to six hours after the PEG placement.There were no complications in the perioperative period,either technical or metabolic.All the patients were discharged from the hospital and were then effectively fed using bolus methods.CONCLUSION:Laparoscopy-assisted PEG should become the method of choice for gastrostomy tube placement and subsequent EN if PEG placement cannot be performed safely.

Buried bumper syndrome:A complication of percutaneousendoscopic gastrostomy

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG) is a widely used method of nutrition delivery for patients with longterm insufficiency of oral intake. The PEG complication rate varies from 0.4% to 22.5% of cases, with minor complications being three times more frequent. Buried bumper syndrome(BBS) is a severe complication of this method, in which the internal fixation device migrates alongside the tract of the stoma outside the stomach. Excessive compression of tissue between the external and internal fixation device of the gastrostomy tube is considered the main etiological factor leading to BBS. Incidence of BBS is estimated at around 1%(0.3%-2.4%). Inability to insert, loss of patency and leakage around the PEG tube are considered to be a typical symptomatic triad. Gastroscopy is indicated in all cases in which BBS is suspected. The depth of disc migration in relation to the lamina muscularis propria of the stomach is critical for further therapy and can be estimated by endoscopic or transabdominal ultrasound. BBS can be complicated by gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, peritonitis, intra-abdominal and abdominal wall abscesses, or phlegmon, and these complications can lead to fatal outcomes. The most important preventive measure is adequate positioning of the external bolster. A conservative approach should be applied only in patients with high operative risk and dismal prognosis. Choice of the method of release is based on the type of the PEG set and depth of disc migration. A disc retained inside the stomach and completely covered by the overgrowing tissue can be released using some type of endoscopic dissection technique(needle knife, argon plasma coagulation, or papillotome through the cannula). Proper patient selection and dissection of the overgrowing tissue are the major determinants for successful endoscopic therapy. A disc localized out of the stomach(lamina muscularis propria) should be treated by a surgeon.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube replacement:A simple procedure?

Replacement of gastrostomy tube in patients under-going percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is generally considered as a safe and simple procedure. However, it could be associated with serious complications, such as gastrocutaneous tract disruption and intraperitoneal tube placement, which may lead to chemical peritonitis and even death. When PEG tube needs a replacement (e.g., occlusion or breakage of the tube), clinicians must realize that the gastrocutaneous tract of PEG is more friable than that of surgical gastrostomy because there is no suture fixation between gastric wall and abdominal wall in PEG. In general, the tract of PEG begins to mature in 1-2 wk after placement and it is well formed in 4-6 wk. However, this process could take a longer period of time in some patients. Accordingly, this article describes three major principles of a safe PEG tube replacement: (1) good control of the replacement tube along the well-formed gastrocutaneous tract; (2) minimal insertion force during the replacement, and, most importantly; and (3) reliable methods for the confirmation of intragastric tube insertion. In addition, the management of patients with suspected intraperitoneal tube placement (e.g., patients having abdominal pain or signs of peritonitis immediately after PEG tube replacement or shortly after tube feeding was resumed) is discussed. If prompt investigation confirms the intraperitoneal tube placement, surgical intervention is usually required. This article also highlights the fact that each institute should have an optimal protocol for PEG tube replacement to prevent, or to minimize, such serious complications. Meanwhile, clinicians should be aware of these potential complications, particularly if there are any difficulties during the gastrostomy tube replacement.

Survival of geriatric patients after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in Japan

AIM: To examine the long term survival of geriatric patients treated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in Japan. METHODS: We retrospectively included 46 Japanese community and tertiary hospitals to investigate 931 consecutive geriatric patients (≥ 65 years old) with swallowing difficulty and newly performed PEG between Jan 1st 2005 and Dec 31st 2008. We set death as an outcome and explored the associations among patient’s characteristics at PEG using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Nine hundred and thirty one patients were followed up for a median of 468 d. A total of 502 deaths were observed (mortality 53%). However, 99%, 95%, 88%, 75% and 66% of 931 patients survived more than 7, 30, 60 d, a half year and one year, respectively. In addition, 50% and 25% of the patients survived 753 and 1647 d, respectively. Eight deaths were considered as PEG-related, and were associated with lower serum albumin levels (P = 0.002). On the other hand, among 28 surviving patients (6.5%), PEG was removed. In a multivariate hazard model, older age [hazard ratio (HR), 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00-1.03; P = 0.009], higher C-reactive protein (HR, 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.07; P = 0.005), and higher blood urea nitrogen (HR, 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00-1.02; P = 0.003) were significant poor prognostic factors, whereas higher albumin (HR, 0.67; 95% CI: 0.52-0.85; P = 0.001), female gender (HR, 0.60; 95% CI: 0.48-0.75; P < 0.001) and no previous history of ischemic heart disease (HR, 0.69; 95% CI: 0.54-0.88, P = 0.003) were markedly better prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that more than half of geriatric patients with PEG may survive longer than 2 years. The analysis elucidated prognostic factors.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy—Too often?Too late?Who are the right patients for gastrostomy?

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is an established method to provide nutrition to patients with restricted oral uptake of fluids and calories.Here,we review the methods,indications and complications of this procedure.While gastrostomy can be safely and easily performed during gastroscopy,the right patients and timing for this intervention are not always chosen.Especially in patients with dementia,the indication for and timing of gastrostomies are often improper.In this patient group,clear data for enteral nutrition are lacking;however,some evidence suggests that patients with advanced dementia do not benefit,whereas patients with mild to moderate dementia might benefit from early enteral nutrition.Additionally,other patient groups with temporary or permanent restriction of oral uptake might be a useful target population for early enteral nutrition to maintain mobilization and muscle strength.We plead for a coordinated study program for these patient groups to identify suitable patients and the best timing for tube implantation.

Novel endoscopic management of buried bumper syndrome in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: The Olympus Hook Knife

Buried bumper syndrome(BBS) is an uncommon but serious complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. It involves the internal fixation device, or "bumper", migrating into the gastric wall and subsequent mucosal overgrowth. We described a case series of four patients with BBS treated with a novel endoscopic technique using a Hook Knife between June 2016 and February 2017. The Hook Knife is a rotating L-shaped cutting wire designed for hooking tissue and pulling it away from the gastric wall towards the lumen. The technique was successful in all four cases with no complications. Each patient was discharged on the day of treatment. The Hook Knife is a manoeuvrable, safe and effective device for endoscopic removal of buried bumpers and could avoid surgery in a high risk group of patients. To our knowledge this technique has not been described previously. We suggest that this technique should be added to the treatment algorithms for managing BBS.