The insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube is an invaluable tool to gain long-term nutritional support for patients who cannot meet their nutritional needs for any of several reasons, with a vast volume of data showing that for certain conditions this procedure can improve patient outcomes. Unfortunately, PEG tube insertion has several adverse events, such as aspiration pneumonia, bleeding, infection, leakage, and tube dysfunction or displacement. Minor adverse events can be common and under-reported; more major adverse events arise in approximately 3% of PEG tube insertions.
The insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube is an invaluable tool to gain long-term nutritional support for patients who cannot meet their nutritional needs for any of several reasons, with a vast volume of data showing that for certain conditions this procedure can improve patient outcomes. Unfortunately, PEG tube insertion has several adverse events, such as aspiration pneumonia, bleeding, infection, leakage, and tube dysfunction or displacement. Minor adverse events can be common and under-reported; more major adverse events arise in approximately 3% of PEG tube insertions.