Outpatient percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in selected head and neck cancer patients

Abstract

Background Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a relatively simple and safe method of providing access for enteral feeding. The procedure is usually performed in hospitalized patients. The feasibility of PEG as an outpatient procedure has not been well estabilished in the medical literature. The main objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of PEG as an outpatient procedure in a selected group of head and neck cancer patients. Patients and methods In this prospective cohort study, head and neck cancer subjects in good clinical condition were selected and enrolled in a close follow-up protocol of outpatient PEG. The clinical and demographic variables evaluated were age, gender, early complications, and timing of PEG. Results Of a total of 136 PEG patients, 129 (94.8%) were discharged 3 h after the procedure. Three were excluded from the study and four were hospitalized because of moderate abdominal pain. The rate of minor complications was 17.6% (local pain, 7.4%; wound infection, 6.6%; abdominal pain, 2.9%; hematoma, 0.7%). Major complications occurred in 2.2% of the procedures (buried bumper syndrome, 1.5%; early tube displacement, 0.7%). There was no mortality.