Guided Transabdominal U-Stitches Gastropexy: A Simplified Technique for Secure Laparoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Insertion

Abstract Introduction: Insecure gastropexy, gastric mucosa overgrowth, granulation tissue formation, and a nonhealing gastrostomy are unwanted consequences encountered in the current minimally invasive gastrostomy tube (GT) placement techniques. Aiming to overcome these problems we have developed a simplified laparoscopic-assisted GT insertion (LAG) procedure using guided transabdominal U-stitches (GTU) gastropexy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all LAG cases performed in our institute using the GTU technique. In brief, a curved clamp is inserted intragastrically through the laparoscopic port and guides a needle across the abdominal and gastric walls to exit, then re-enter back, through the port in an out-in-out fashion creating multiple spaced transabdominal U-stitches that are tied over pledgets. Results: Between March 2008 and January 2015, 31 cases had LAG attempted using GTU. Two cases were converted to open procedures for non–LAG-related reasons. The median age of the remaining 2...