A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
(PEG) is an endoscopic procedure wherein a
tube is placed into the stomach through
the abdominal wall. The procedure is
performed in order to make the gastric
feeding tube the long-term means of
providing nutrition to patients who cannot
take food orally. Many stroke patients,
for example, are at risk of aspiration
pneumonia due to poor control over the
swallowing muscles; some will benefit from
a PEG in order to maintain nutrition. A
few complications may occur after a PEG
procedure include Gastro-colic fistula:
suspected if diarrhea appears a short time
after feeding. In this case, the food goes
directly from stomach to colon (usually
transverse); or Gastric Separation;
Peritonitis, and Gastrostomy tube site
cellulitis.
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