Buried bumper syndrome is a major complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
(PEG), in which the inner bumper of the PEG tube migrates to become embedded in the
stomach wall. Several endoscopic strategies have been proposed for releasing the bumper,
based on: external traction [1], endoscopic traction [2], external pressure [3] and dissection of the overgrowing tissue using a needle-knife [4], argon plasma coagulation, or a dilation balloon [5].
Between January 2000 and March 2012, 1226 PEG procedures were carried out in our endoscopy
unit. A total of 35 cases of buried bumper syndrome (2.85 %) occurred in 32 patients
during this period, 22 of which were suitable for endoscopic treatment. Based on this
experience, we recommend the following treatment for buried bumper syndrome: insertion
of a guide wire from the outside followed by dissection of the overgrowing tissue,
and then pushing a PEG tube stiffened with a dilator into the stomach ([Fig. 1]) and retrieving the bumper with a snare.
Fig. 1 Instruments required for releasing a buried percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)
bumper using the novel technique described here. a Dilator with a guide wire. b Dilator with a guide wire introduced into the PEG cannula. c Cannulotome with a bushing part. d Cannulotome introduced through a PEG cannula.
Dissection of the overgrowing tissue seems to be crucial and there is a risk of complication.
We usually use a needle-knife and argon plasma coagulator for this part of the procedure,
but in five cases we used a novel technique in which we introduce a cannulotome via
a PEG tube. That is, under endoscopic control provided by the first operator, the
second operator inserts a cannulotome over the wire from the outside into the stomach
through a shortened PEG tube. Leakage of air between the PEG tube and the cannulotome
is sealed using a modified part of a dilator, which acts like a bushing ([Fig. 1]). While the cannulotome is bent and pulled slightly from the outside, the cutting
wire dissects the tissue growing over the bumper ([Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3]; [Video 1]). Dissection proceeds from the centre of the buried bumper and traction is directed
along the long axis of the cannula (which is not always perpendicular to the stomach
wall); the length of the cuts should not exceed the radius of the bumper. Incisions
should be carried out at the most prominent bulges, and three to five cuts are usually
sufficient. With this technique, a buried PEG bumper can be released more rapidly
and more safely compared with other currently used techniques.
Fig. 2 Endoscopic view of a cannulotome inserted through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
(PEG) tube, bending (a) and cutting the bulge over the buried bumper (b).
Fig. 3 Diagrammatic illustration of the transverse section of the abdomen at the level of
a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) with a migrated inner bumper. The cannulotome,
introduced from outside via a PEG tube, is being prepared for cutting the overgrowing,
bulging tissue. (Diagram courtesy of Josef Bavor, Department of Anatomy, Charles University
in Prague, Faculty of Medicine Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.).
A cannulotome is inserted through the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube
and then bent, and the tissue growing over the embedded inner bumper is cut (two of
four cuts are shown). The PEG tube stiffened with a dilator is pushed inside and the
inner bumper is released.
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