Endoscopic gastrostomy.

An endoscopic technique for establishing a gastrostomy, using suture, was employed in 56 patients. The use of stitches accounts for the absence of major complications, and permits easy management of the tube. The patients were able to receive food 12 hours after the procedure. The operation was performed under the same conditions as routine examinations of the upper digestive tract. The results suggest that this procedure might be not only the safest, but also the simplest kind of gastrostomy.