We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Procedures

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy?

Mary Elizabeth
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,359
Share

Sometimes a situation develops in which a person is unable to swallow or otherwise unable to receive nourishment by mouth. In such a case, intravenous nourishment may be an option, or inserting a feeding tube may be desirable. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, abbreviated PEG, is one surgical procedure for inserting a feeding tube.

There are several types of feeding tube insertions, differing depending on location and method of insertion. One type is a nasogastric tube, in which a tube is inserted through the nose and into the stomach. After certain procedures, such as an esophagectomy, in which all or part of the esophagus is removed; or gastrectomy, in which all or part of the stomach is removed, a feeding tube through a percutaneous jejunostomy, with the tube inserted into part of the small intestine, may be used. A tube into the stomach is another possibility, and it may be inserted through an open laparotomy, in which a large opening is made by surgical incision or by a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, which can be done with a very small incision.

The term percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy clarifies the details of the method of insertion of this particular type of feeding tube. Percutaneous is a synonym for transdermal., meaning “through the skin.” An endoscope is a long, slender optical instrument containing a light source and a camera and used to examine areas deep within the human body. Gastrostomy refers to an opening into the stomach through the abdominal wall.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a type of feeding tube insertion that is done when the patient is not expected to be able to take food by mouth for quite some time. Unlike some of the other feeding tube insertions, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy can be done on an outpatient basis. It can be performed by physicians with a variety of specialties.

There are four basic steps to a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. First, the throat is anesthetized and an endoscope is passed into the stomach. Second, a small incision is made in the abdomen over the stomach and a needle is inserted into the stomach. Third, the feeding tube is slid through the needle into the stomach. Finally, the feeding tube is secured in place.

There are several possible complications that may arise when using a feeding tube with this method of insertion. The point of incision may become infected, the tube may be dislodged, or the tube may become clogged. Nevertheless, this procedure is considered to have advantages over a surgical gastronomy, which takes longer and costs more.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary Elizabeth
By Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to writing articles on art, literature, and music for WiseGeek, Mary works as a teacher, composer, and author who has written books, study guides, and teaching materials. Mary has also created music composition content for Sibelius Software. She earned her B.A. from University of Chicago's writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-percutaneous-endoscopic-gastrostomy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.