FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE REMOVAL OR REPLACEMENT OF PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY (PEG)

Aims: Introduction Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an invasive procedure. Several studies show that intrahospital mortality after PEG placement is 10.8% so there are patients who get few profits from PEG placement.

Aims to investigate factors that influence scheduled PEG replacement or removal performed in our center.

Methods We report a retrospective and descriptive study conducted in a tertiary Spanish center from 2014 to 2018.

Results A total of 158 patients were included: 84 men/74 women, mean age 67.75 years. PEG removal or replacement has occurred in 88 (55.7%) of patients. The main indications for PEG placement were acute cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) (35.4%), dementia (25.9%) and neurodegenerative disease (10.8%). The complications were reported in 37 patients (23.4%). The age was the only factor that had influence in PEG removal/replacement (p=0.006). Regarding the association between indications and mortality, 66.7% of dementia patients and 40.9% of those with CVA died in the first 3 months after PEG placement. Whereas, 66.7% of patients with degenerative neuromuscular disease die after 6 months.

Conclusions In our study the patients with dementia and CVA who has PEG are the least profited from PEG placement. Therefore, the PEG indication should be individualized according to the patient´s life expectancy and indications.