Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Initial placement by single endoscopic technique and long-term follow-up.

Of 598 patients, 595 underwent placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube using a single endoscopy technique and a polyurethane gastrostomy tube. Primary indications were altered mental status and dysphagia. All procedures were performed in the operating room, with 74 patients receiving general anesthesia and 524 intravenous sedatives with or without topical anesthesia. Average operating room time was 34 minutes. Of 208 patients with prior intra-abdominal surgery, 207 underwent successful placement. The overall complication rate was 4.9%, with a major complication rate of 1.3%. One death occurred from presumed leakage at the gastrostomy site with peritonitis. One hundred twenty patients subsequently died of causes unrelated to the gastrostomy tube after 75 +/- 164 days (range, 1 to 972). One hundred fifty-four patients recovered an adequate oral diet and had the PEG removed after 169 +/- 244 days (range, 6 to 1337). The remaining 319 patients continued to use their gastrostomy tube for 1532 +/- 411 days (range, 134 to 2251). The polyurethane gastrostomy tube has been very durable; none has required replacement because of deterioration.