Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an accepted method of placing a feeding tube to enable enteral feeding in patients with swallowing difficulties. However, the factors associated with complications and death after PEG have not been studied in detail. We describe the largest audit of deaths after PEG tube insertion.
Objective: Our purpose was to determine the factors associated with death after PEG tube insertion.
Design: Deaths occurring within 30 days after PEG tube insertion in the United Kingdom between April 2002 and March 2003 were identified and a questionnaire was sent to the consultant endoscopist for completion.
Patients: A total of 719 patients (391 male, median age 80 years, range 26-98 years) who died within 30 days after PEG insertion were identified for this study.
Setting: United Kingdom hospitals.
Main outcome measurement: Cause of death.
Results: A total of 97% of the identified patients had coexistent neurologic disease. PEG tubes were inserted by specialized GI physicians in 522 cases (73%). Seventy-two patients (10%) required reversal agents after sedation. After PEG tube insertion, 309 patients (43%) died within 1 week. Death was due to cardiovascular disease (n = 175), respiratory disease (n = 508), central nervous system disease (n = 358), renal disease (n = 38), and hepatic failure (n = 11). In 136 cases (19%) the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death expert panel regarded the procedure as futile.
Limitations: Retrospective review of case records.
Conclusions: Mortality and morbidity rates after PEG tube insertion are not insignificant. Selection of patients is paramount to good patient outcomes. Multidisciplinary team assessment should be performed on all patients being referred for PEG tube insertion.