Mortality risks of mentally retarded and mentally ill patients after a feeding gastrostomy.

Feeding gastrostomy procedures were performed on 9 mentally ill and 30 mentally retarded, institutionalized patients. The postoperative mortality was 0 percent (0/9) for the mentally ill and 13 percent (4/30) for the mentally retarded patients. Mortality within 1 year after the operation was 11 percent (1/9) for the mentally ill and 33 percent (10/30) for the retarded patients. This study revealed three important factors that affect mortality risks: the identification and elimination of a gastroesophageal reflux before surgery, the monitoring and improvement of the nutritional status both before and after surgery, and the evaluation and treatment of respiratory problems both before and after surgery. If care in these areas is improved, then the mortality risks for retarded patients will decrease.