Background: Gastrostomy tube placement is among the most common gastrointestinal procedures
performed in children. The U-stitch laparoscopic technique allows primary button placement and
the advantages of laparoscopy. The purpose of this study was to quantify the completion rate and
the occurrence of complications in a large single-institution experience.
Materials and Methods: All laparoscopic gastrostomy procedures between April 2000 and May
2005 were reviewed. Complications that required operative treatment or hospital readmission were
classified as early (<90 days) or late (≥90 days).
Results: Laparoscopic gastrostomies were created in 461 patients during the study period with
primary buttons being placed in 444 (96%). No procedure-related deaths occurred. Early complications
included: reoperation secondary to tube dislodgement in 7 patients (1.5%), herniation of
omentum postoperatively in 3 patients (0.6%), and development of granulation tissue or everted
gastric mucosa requiring excision in 13 patients (3.2%). Late complications occurred in 8 patients
(1.7%), with three (0.7%) requiring revision of the gastrostomy due to local site problems. Five patients
(1.1%) had intraperitoneal placement of tubes during attempted replacement after 90 days.
Age, infancy, and neurological impairment were not associated with a higher rate of complications.
Conclusion: The U-stitch gastrostomy technique is safe and allows primary button placement in
infants and children. Its complication rate compares favorably to other reported gastrostomy techniques.
