Abstract
Background
Percutaneous transesophageal gastrotubing (PTEG) is an alternative means of access into the stomach when conventional transabdominal gastric access is not possible.
Purpose
To describe the early clinical experience, technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the hydro-dissection assisted puncture of an esophageal balloon used for PTEG.
Material and Methods
A retrospective review was conducted of six, consecutive patients with feeding problems and who were treated with hydro-dissection assisted puncture of an esophageal balloon for PTEG. Patient baseline characteristics, such as age, sex, co-morbidities, and the underlying condition requiring PTEG, were recorded. The procedure and clinical outcomes of interests, including the route of approach, procedure time (defined as the time interval from the esophageal balloon insertion to the feeding tube placement), adverse events, duration of feeding through PTEG, and the place of discharge were observed.
Results
The PTEG creation using “hydro-dissection assisted puncture of an esophageal balloon technique” was achieved in all six patients (100% technical success). The mean procedure time was 16.5 min (range = 13–23 min) and the median duration of the feeding days through the PTEG was 87 days (range = 7–361 days). One case of deep neck infection was developed after the procedure and completely resolved by conservative treatment without removing the PTEG.
Conclusions
The hydro-dissection assisted puncture of an esophageal balloon is a safe and effective technique for PTEG when the commercial PTEG kits are unavailable.
Keywords
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