Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

Percutaneous gastrostomy tubes are indicated for long-term feeding access or, less commonly, for gastric decompression. Other enteral access procedures are often available, so it is important to consider patient selection. Informed consent should be obtained as there are several well-described risks. During the procedure, percutaneous access to the stomach is obtained in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, and esophagogastroscopy is used to visualize the stomach and retrieve the guidewire. The guidewire is then attached to the feeding tube and the guidewire and tube are pulled through the mouth and out of the access site.