Comparison of two percutaneous radiological gastrostomy tubes in the nutritional management of ALS patients

Patient care and minimizing complications post gastrostomy have to date received little attention in ALS patients. We compare the complications associated with pigtail and mushroom type percutaneous radiological gastrostomy tubes in this patient group. Patients requiring PRG received either Wills-OglesbyTM or the skin level EntristarTM. Retrospective review of the clinical notes was performed capturing demographic data, peristomal infection, tube displacement, tube failure, nutritional status, site of disease onset, and survival. Thirty-five patients (Group 1) had the Wills-OglesbyTM tube of which 14 (40%) tubes required replacement. The EntristarTM tube was inserted in 29 patients (Group 2) where 8 (28%) required replacement (NS). The incidence of infection was significantly lower with the EntristarTM tube, (p