Relationship of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy-related mortality and morbidity rates and effectiveness with advancing age

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is insertion of a tube to stomach through abdominal wall for provision of nutrition in patients who couldn't be fed by oral route. In the present study, it was aimed to evaluate PEG procedures performed in our facility regarding indication, complication and effectiveness and to determine whether these characteristics have a relationship with advancing age. In this descriptive study, we reviewed clinical and endoscopic records of 300 patients who underwent PEG procedure between May 2009 and December 2011. The patients were divided into 2 groups(group 1 > 75, group 2 < 75 years). All patients were retrospectively reviewed regarding demographic data, indications, biochemical parameters (Hemoglobin, total protein and albumin) at baseline and 3 months after procedure, complications and mortality. The most common indication for PEG was neurological (67.3%). Wound infection (6.0%) was most common early complication while tube occlusion (4.7%) was most common late complication. No significant difference was detected between groups regarding morbidity and mortality (p < 0.05). It was seen that there were significant improvement in all biochemical parameters (p < 0.001). The most significant improvement was observed in total protein values (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was detected in individual parameters (p > 0.05). PEG should be preferred at early period in patients who couldn't be fed by oral route for prolonged time as it is a minimally invasive, simple, inexpensive, highly effective, physiologic and safe. PEG was found to have no relationship with advancing age regarding indications, morbidity, mortality rate and effectiveness.