An unnecessary complication of PEG feeding

An 81-year-old woman underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube insertion following a stroke. She presented with PEG tube malfunction 2 years later, when a gastroscopy showed the bumper of the PEG tube to be covered by gastric mucosa. Endoscopic removal of the tube was attempted by incising the mucosa but was unsuccessful. A second PEG tube was placed proximally within the stomach, and the patient was discharged back to the nursing home. The nutrition nurses provided education on PEG tube care to the staff, including clear instructions on buried bumper prevention. Three months later, the problem recurred with the second PEG tube. Gastroscopy showed a second buried bumper (figure 1). This was successfully removed and a gastrostomy tube with a retention balloon was inserted percutaneously through the tract. Figure 1Two buried internal percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube bumpers as seen at endoscopy. Both are partially covered by...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Endoscopy, Journalology, Stomach and duodenum, Stroke, Surgical diagnostic tests, Gastrointestinal surgery, General surgery, Ethics Images in medicine Source Type: research